A Bowl of Soul
FOOD IS HEALING
A Bowl of Soul (ABOS) is a meal prep and delivery program created by Community Doula, Culinarian, Agriculturist, and founder of Oasis Maternal Care, Qwantèse D. Winters.
ABOS is committed to ensuring that Black mothers in Dane County receive the nourishment, support, and care they need to thrive in the postpartum period. Through culturally rooted nutrition, community engagement, and continuous evaluation, Qwantèse aims to create a sustainable, impactful program that transforms maternal health outcomes with support from REAP Food Group plus funding from the Dane County Partners in Equity (PIE) Food Grant Program.
What is ABOS?
A Bowl of Soul (ABOS) is a meal prep and delivery program created by Community Doula, Culinarian, Agriculturist, and founder of Oasis Maternal Care, Qwantèse D. Winters. Since 2019, Winters has been self-funding the only existing postpartum meal support program in Dane Co. that serves low income, single black mothers in response to the reality on the ground.
Why it Matters
- Fact 1: Black residents in Dane Co. face a higher infant mortality rate and lower life expectancy than every other racial demographic group.
- Fact 2: Low-income and Black communities experience the highest rates of food insecurity in our country.
- Fact 3: Food is a key, controllable factor in maternal health outcomes.
What ABOS Does
- Aid in post-birth recovery
- Strengthen mother-baby bonding
- Reduce the risk of maternal mood disorders (such as postpartum depression)
- Relieve food-insecure mothers from the burden of sourcing and preparing meals
- Prepare and deliver nutrient-rich meals and healing herbal blends