18 Reasons is everything we love: community-building, art and food. Based in San Francisco, their name comes directly from their neighborhood, after a now-gone sign on 17th and Mission that just said, “17 Reasons.” When they started out, they were called Blue Space, a workspace, event venue and gallery–but when Blue Space’s owners moved to Portland in 2007, the food enthusiasts at Bi-Rite Market moved in, keeping the art and community, but turning the focus to food.

Their current gallery show, A Sensory Feast: Local Flavors, curated by San Francisco arts organization Kearny Street Workshop, perfectly combines their commitment to art, community and food. Nine artists are currently showing work that explores what food means to us through all five senses. During the show, for the “sight” portion, they’re even doing a food photography workshop that culminates in printing attendees’ photos on edible paper.

Other upcoming events are across the board. A DIY Infusions and Liqueurs workshop with the like-minded local Punk Domestics teaches attendees how to whip up rhubarb shrub, bitters and liqueur. Farm Summer School is an adult class series that walks its students through the logistics and business of starting a rural or urban farm, and teaches them farming skills with hands-on sessions at the Bi-Rite farm in Sonoma. They host a Food Lit Book Club the third Sunday of every month, and a monthly food swap, as well, where people bring ready-made meals to trade with others.

Since we have a special place in our heart for community-builders, non-profits and diverse event programming, naturally we love working with 18 Reasons. Look them up the next time you’re in San Francisco.

Photo courtesy of Jason Tester Guerrilla Futures on Flickr Creative Commons