About Us – Foodies of Lafayette | Lafayette, LA
Heidi McDonald and Jason Stoner are the driving force behind Foodies of Lafayette. What began in December 2019 as a small Facebook group among friends quickly grew into a dynamic community of over 127,000 members who share a love of local flavor.
Heidi, the founder, created the group after a memorable meal at Fuji Sushi, realizing that many great eateries lacked the exposure they deserved. Her vision was simple: celebrate good food and good people without the noise of negativity, critiques, or algorithms. (Fuji Sushi later became the first-ever recipient of the FOL Culinary Excellence Award in 2023 — a full-circle moment for where it all began.)
Jason joined early as a moderator and soon became a key partner in shaping the community’s tone, structure, and outreach. Known for organizing rapid-fire ideas into real-world impact, Jason helped transform Foodies of Lafayette from a social group into a true culinary movement.
Together, they’ve built more than a foodie page — they’ve built a hub for connection, celebration, and community impact, shaping the food landscape in Acadiana one bite at a time. Hear more of these stories on the Foodies of Lafayette Podcast, or get the highlights delivered straight to your inbox with Foodies of Lafayette | THE LETTER, our weekly newsletter.
What We Do
Beyond the Facebook group, Foodies of Lafayette keeps Acadiana’s food community connected through year-round events and initiatives:
Weekly Foodie Field Trips
We take the community out to explore Lafayette’s restaurants, food trucks, and hidden gems together.
Annual Friendsgiving Potluck
Our community comes together every year to celebrate food and give back, with proceeds supporting the Lafayette Community Fridge Project.
Annual Cake Fête
A celebration of Lafayette’s incredible cake makers and dessert culture, only in Acadiana.
FOL Culinary Excellence Awards
Recognizing and celebrating the best of Lafayette’s food scene, voted on by our community. See past winners and categories.
Festival International Volunteers
Each year, our moderation team volunteers at Festival International de Louisiane, taking on a shift at the cocktail booth to support the festival while representing the Foodies of Lafayette community.
Lafayette Community Fridge—Powered by Foodies of Lafayette
We power this nonprofit, providing free, accessible food to neighbors in need while reducing food waste and promoting dignity in giving.