Community Food Centres Canada

A different approach to fighting food insecurity, poor health, and isolation

A Community Food Centre is a welcoming space in a low-income neighbourhood where people come together to grow, cook, share, and advocate for good food. Community Food Centres provide people with access to high-quality food in a dignified space. People learn cooking and gardening skills there, and kids get their hands dirty in the garden and kitchen in ways that expand their tastebuds and help them make healthier food choices. Community members can take action on the issues that affect them, and people find friends and support.

Community Food Centre Objectives

Improve people’s ability to access healthy food in a dignified way;
Increase healthy food knowledge, skills, and behaviours;
Decrease social isolation and increase people’s connection to supports;
Create opportunities for people to take action on the issues that affect their lives,
Empower people to be volunteers and leaders.

Community Food Centre Programs

Healthy food access: Community meals, affordable produce markets, and healthy food distribution programs increase access to fresh and nutritious food in a welcoming space where people can get connected to other supports and resources.
Food skills: Community kitchens, gardens, and after-school programs help people build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to grow and prepare healthy food for themselves and their families. They also empower people to take control of their health and nutrition within the context of their circumstances, and make lasting and sustainable changes in their diets.
Education and engagement: Peer advocacy and support, community action training, social justice clubs and volunteer programs support people to get involved in the issues that matter to them, equip them with the tools they need to take action, and create opportunities for participants to be leaders in their communities and push for change.