Growing a good food movement

“The power shifted”: The Local CFC’s fight to end disability poverty

Last October, Perth–Wellington MP John Nater sat down in the dining room of The Local CFC. At that moment, something shifted. 

It was a shift towards ending disability poverty in Canada. 

Weeks before, The Local CFC and its social justice club EPIC led a rally to MP Nater’s Stratford, Ontario office. The group urged MP Nater to support Bill C-22, which proposes a monthly Canada Disability Benefit. 

They knew what was at stake. Around half of adults with disabilities live in food-insecure households. And people with disabilities are twice as likely to live in poverty than people without disabilities. This new benefit would be a lifeline of support.

What happened next? MP Nater agreed to meet with community members with disabilities. But The Local CFC and EPIC declined his invitation to meet at his office. They insisted he come to the CFC instead. 

Derek Barnes, The Local CFC’s Community Engagement Facilitator, recalls: “The power shifted to the community members who were sharing their stories.”

Three days later, MP Nater shared some of those stories in the House of Commons as he spoke in support of Bill C-22. 

Community members watched the live parliamentary session at The Local CFC, over a shared meal. As Derek recalls, it was a powerful moment. People realized they had “a direct impact on what was happening at the House of Commons.” 

On June 22, 2023, Bill C-22 was passed into law. It was a milestone toward reducing poverty and food insecurity among people with disabilities. And this milestone happened because thousands of people fought for it—like the activists at The Local CFC and EPIC. 

For The Local CFC and EPIC, this win was essential but their advocacy will continue. As EPIC member Erin Jackson states: “[Social change] scares a lot of people. They have to admit, ‘Maybe I haven’t always been the greatest person to somebody who was marginalized.’ Or ‘Maybe I haven’t always admitted that I’m disabled.’” 

Her advice? “Educate yourself. That is your moment to step up.” 

Testing and investing in the power of food 

It all began as a fresh new test. In the summer of 2020, Carrefour Solidaire CFC piloted a project that transformed a Montreal street into an urban garden. 

First, Dufresne Street was closed to traffic. Then, staff and volunteers placed 115 fabric pots along the pavement. The pots contained fresh fruits and vegetables, creating an incredible feast for more than just the eyes. 

The result? Dufresne Street became La Promenade des Saveurs—French for “The Walkway of Flavours.” Each year, this “edible street” provides over 500 kg of vegetables and fruits for locals. 

The street is in the Ste.-Marie neighbourhood, where food access is a problem. The corner stores stock very little fresh food and shopping at the major grocery stores is expensive. 

But locals have done more than just adopt the above-ground garden. As Beccah Frasier, Executive Co-Director at Carrefour Solidaire CFC, explains: 

“The project’s really been appropriated by local residents…. People come and harvest food, they sit out with their friends and have a picnic. They interact with the space in a way that transcends the initial project of just installing a garden in the street.”

Last year, the garden even became a year-round project. By piloting temporary greenhouses, the CFC was able to harvest greens throughout most of the winter. 

These tests reflect the CFC’s experimental approach to investing in the power of food. As Beccah says, their approach involves trialing “interesting new ideas or even old ideas that deserve to be re-looked at. And having the courage and flexibility to test them out.”

“It makes my heart happy”: Engaging youth in Eel Ground First Nation

It’s nearly the last session of the Mind Your Food program and coordinator Melissa Simon is bustling around, readying the room for a pizza party with local youth and their families.

As she sets out the toppings, Melissa reflects on the magic of the program offered by the Natoaganeg CFC in Eel Ground First Nation, New Brunswick.

Mind Your Food—developed in partnership with Community Food Centres Canada and run by seven partner organizations across the country—offers youth opportunities to cook together, learn food skills, and practice mindfulness. And they’re encouraged to suggest and shape the activities. 

At Natoaganeg CFC, this means youth get to participate in Mi’kmaq cultural traditions. Melissa lights up when she recalls these experiences: 

“It makes my heart happy hearing them talk about starting their own drumming group, wanting to learn how to smudge or learn about traditional medicines in our area.”

As someone who grew up in the community and has worked with youth for years, Melissa knows how important this engagement is—and how it helps youth build confidence and a deeper connection with their community. 

The youth know that when they come to the CFC, they are heard, respected, valued, and included. And as Melissa reflects: “Now I see them creating that space with their peers, too. They look out for each other.”

She recalls one session where the youth made a big batch of chicken penne alfredo with broccoli. They had plenty to go around, so they invited some younger kids in the community to come share the meal. Afterwards, there were still leftovers to bring home to their families.

“They were so happy about that. It’s little things like this that they won’t forget.” 

Meaningful meals with new-found friends

When John* walks into Mount Paul CFC twice a week for the community meal, he heads to his usual table, where four new friends always save him a seat. 

After a couple of lonely years, a dining room full of people connecting over a shared meal is a welcome sight.

At the height of the pandemic, the team at Mount Paul CFC was busier than they’d ever been—but in a very different way than before. As one of the only community organizations in Kamloops to remain open, Mount Paul CFC was forced to shift overnight how they delivered programs. Produce markets became grocery delivery services. Community meals turned into takeaway meals. 

Last year, when restrictions eased, the CFC was able to reinstate in-person meals. Now, nearly 150 people are coming to dine together again, building connections across cultures and generations. 

As Dawn Christie, Manager of Mount Paul CFC, reflects: 

“This past year brought a renewed desire for community. People were ready to be socially connected and share experiences again.” 

This was when John, a young man in his early 30s, met his “nannies.” 

An introvert who experiences social anxiety, John started coming to Mount Paul CFC to pick up fresh produce at their weekly market. There, he learned about the community meals. 

On his first visit, four seniors, who were regulars at the meal, invited John to join their table. Over time, they became good friends. John has taken to calling these ladies his “nannies”.

Before he discovered Mount Paul CFC, John wasn’t leaving his house much. Now he goes to the CFC a few times per week to pick up fruits and vegetables to cook with, and to enjoy a meal in the company of friends. 

* This name has been changed to protect the privacy of the community member.

Conversations that count: Food Summit 2022

Every day in Canada, food sparks conversation. Over countless meals and dinner tables, people gather to share. 

In the community food sector, this conversation has many threads—and related questions. How can we improve our community programs? What are the best ways to lobby for change? And how can we learn from one another to boost our collective impact? 

So, last year, we kindled these conversations. Across two energizing days in September, we brought together our partners from across the country. The occasion? The first in-person Food Summit since the pandemic.

Over 300 staff from Community Food Centres and Good Food Organizations gathered in Toronto. Many topics were on the table, with Indigenous knowledge and perspectives woven throughout. 

People spoke about decolonizing the fight against food insecurity. They connected climate justice with food justice. They talked about raising funds and building community gardens. They shared how they transformed food banks into forces for change. They told success stories about local lobbying. 

As many attendees told us afterwards, their time together made a big impact. Newly energized, the attendees returned to their communities. They brought back new ideas and deeper connections, sparked by conversations that count. 

“[The summit was] a great encapsulation of everything I love about being part of a Community Food Centre and this movement. Great people, engaged community, intelligent approaches to problem-solving coupled with care and love.”
— Food Summit 2022 attendee