Question: Is it soup yet? Answer: Yes.

So who says the Internet is a threat to face-to-face interaction? It brought us 10 more acquaintances tonight — in the name of soup. We’d never been to a Soup Swap, had never even heard of the concept, but that all changed after a recent visit to Nerd’s Eye View (among the 100-plus West Seattle-based blogs linked and frequently updated here). There, we saw this post, and left a comment along the lines of “wow, cool concept” – which to our surprise and delight brought us an e-mail invite from the person who hosted tonight’s West Seattle Soup Swap. This has actually become a national phenomenon (you’ll note from that site, National Soup Swap Day is supposed to be this Wednesday, but many gatherings like the one we attended west of The Junction tonight are being held on other dates). NEV author Pam explained tonight that the whole thing started right here in Seattle, on Capitol Hill, a couple years ago. If you’re a soup fan, check it out. The ones now in our freezer following tonight’s Soup Swap range from carrot habanero to beef ‘n’ cabbage (the full lineup, six containers from each contributor, shown above). This time of year, as temps keep dipping, it’s truly Nature’s Perfect Food.

Jan January 20, 2008 (11:21 pm)

very cool…my daughter and I are going to one on Wednesday evening…I can’t wait :)

Bonnie January 21, 2008 (12:00 am)

Cool. I have heard of it and found it rather interesting.

pam January 21, 2008 (6:53 am)

you can’t imagine how thrilled I was to be at a w. seattle soup swap. i’ve been attending what we jokingly call the ‘founder’s circle’ swap for years as the hillster that started it is a good pal, but i couldn’t make it this year.

if fellow swappers feel like sharing their stories, do send them to soupswap.com – we try to keep it up to date while soup season is in full swing.

Christopher Boffoli January 21, 2008 (12:22 pm)

Apparently you have to move swiftly up to the counter, speak your order clearly, put your money down and move immediately to the left or they yell “NO SOUP FOR YOU!” and ban you from the place for a year.

MissK January 21, 2008 (9:27 pm)

Why not heat some of that soup up and bring downtown to some of those who are less fortunate? Just a thought. Other than that I had never heard of this idea but sounds like a great thing.

pam January 22, 2008 (7:16 am)

Hey MissK,

A fine idea and also, done and done.

Many of the soup swaps I’ve attended also do canned food drives – the shelters don’t take so much home cooking, but we’ve added a little donation drive that allows us to enjoy our soup and help out others, too.

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