About The Local
We work to address food insecurity in Stratford and area through programs and services for everyone, including seniors, newcomers to the county and those living in challenging and marginalized circumstances.
Our Vision:
A Community where access to good food is central to health and treated as a basic right.
Mission:
We build health, belonging and social justice in our communities through the power of food.
Action Plan:
We solve food insecurity through programs that cover one or more of the following: access to food, acquisition of food skills, provision of education and community engagement.
The Local aims to be a welcoming space for everyone, offering support without means tests or unnecessary questions, and working to reduce barriers wherever possible.
The Local is governed by a Board of Directors and is operated by a hard-working and dedicated staff. Our budget comes from grants, donations from individuals and organizations, fundraising, and funding from Right to Food, the United Way, and the City of Stratford.
Our History
In 2012 Community Food Centres Canada partnered with the United Way of Perth-Huron to launch The Local Community Food Centre. It was one of two pilot sites developed to test a new model for addressing food insecurity by creating respectful spaces where people can access healthy food, build skills, find community, and advocate for health and belonging in our community. What they discovered was that this model harvests hope and nourishes communities.
The Community Food Centres Canada is now Right To Food, which continues to lead a cross-country commitment to good food for all.
The Local CFC is now a part of Canada-wide network of 17 Community Food Centres across the country and as part of Community Food Centres Canada we work together with an additional 400+ Good Food Organizations across North America to influence provincial and national policy makers to develop more equitable and just social policies.
The Local values the partnerships, collaboration, and cooperation with numerous agencies and service providers throughout Perth County, including Childrens Aid, Ontario Works, Social Services, Shelterlink, Connection Centre, OneCare, the medical community and public health which strengthens the impact that we can all have by working together.
