Imagine

Published in the Toronto Star August 20, 2016

“Someone has to stand up and say the answer isn’t another pill. The answer is spinach.” ~Bill Maher, 2007

Hopefully you are enjoying some ‘hammock time’ and have entered a special zone that is reserved for late summer.  A time when you can think more freely: a time to imagine.

I have been in touch with Nick Saul, the President and CEO of Community Food Centres Canada.  And no, this is not a new grocery store chain, but rather a national non-profit that’s building vibrant, food-focused spaces in low-income communities.

Since I last wrote about Nick and CFCC in these pages about 2 years ago much has transpired and I think it is all very newsworthy.  Their work potentially impacts on all of us.

Nick, what are Community Food Centres and where are they?

Community Food Centres are dignified, welcoming spaces that bring people together to grow, cook, share, and advocate for good food for all. Each Community Food Centre offers a mix of programs that strive to increase access to healthy food, build food skills, and provide peer support and education and engagement opportunities. The exact program mix is determined by the needs of each community.  Every Community Food Centre has the same goals: to build better health, skills, connection, and belonging in the low-income communities that need it most.  

There are eight established or developing Community Food Centres in Canada:  in Toronto, Stratford, Perth, Dartmouth N.S., Winnipeg, Calgary, and Hamilton. 

Through our Good Food Organizations program, we’re also supporting 90 organizations in 56 cities with grants and resources that help them offer healthy- and dignity-focused programs in their communities.

What are the benefits of the Community Food Centre concept?

The idea of dignity through food is foremost in my mind these days.  Dignity, belonging, and equality. We believe that people who have less shouldn’t be made to feel the lesser for it. And that a good meal cooked with care and eaten with others can be the beginning of many amazing things.

We measure our impact in a number of areas: better access to healthy food, better food skills and physical health, better social connection and mental health, and better civic engagement.  We want to work with our communities to push for public policies that support people to live safe, healthy and hopeful lives.

You talk about the profound changes that can happen when people come together to grow their own food, learn how to prepare it and to celebrate it together.  Can you tell me more about that?

The power of food is something we see at our centres every day. Because food is this incredible thing. When you eat it together, you grow community and connection. Through it you can express your culture and your background. If you eat good food it energizes you and keeps you healthy. When you grow food sustainably, it nourishes the soil and increases the health of our planet. And when everyone has access to good food, you have inclusive, connected, and equitable communities. That’s the vision we are igniting across Canada through our work.

What is the future of that work…. Where is it leading?
Building welcoming places that meet people where they’re at and that provide  engaging ways to eat healthier, meet friends and get involved in improving their neighbourhoods and circumstances is more important now than ever. We see a future where every community has a Community Food Centre, just like every community has a library.  There will always be a role for places that bring people together and create ways for them to get engaged in their communities.
The future we see is a Canada where everyone eats well.  We need a bold re-imagining of the role food plays in our lives.  In low-income communities for certain, and for all Canadians.

How can Torontonians get involved?

There are two Community Food Centres in Toronto: the Regent Park CFC at 40 Oak St, and The Stop in the city’s west end. You can visit their websites for details on how to donate, volunteer or get involved.  www.cfccanada.ca

We have an expression around here to never let a crisis go to waste. 

Plant a Row, Grow a Row 

As we enter the harvest time of the gardening season it is worth reflecting on the value of sharing our resources with others who do not have access to fresh, healthy Ontario grown food.  I urge you to consider donating your excess tomatoes, carrots and other garden-grown veggies and fruits to your local food bank.  This is called “Plant a Row, Grow a Row” and it is as simple as that. Plant a Row, Grow a Row is a program that is supported by the Composting Council of Canada.  To learn more go to www.compost.org