Searching for Other Food Security Initiatives

Urban agriculture branch of Urban Pantry is currently expanding the City of Barrie's community garden program by building five new community gardens in Barrie from 2018-2021

Community cooking classes operate out of three community partner locations

• classes run in six-week sessions and focus on healthy eating, inspired by the Good Food Box program
• Community partners provide space in their certified kitchens for food skills workshops
• also offers food handler certification and train-the-trainer programs

Barrie Good Food Boxes are a monthly box of assorted fresh fruits and vegetables, available to anyone in the community

• bulk ordering of fresh, high-quality produce (Ontario when possible) at wholesale pricing
• each box comes with an a monthly e-newsletter with health, dietary and produce information
• one size available: $20 box includes 10 lb bag of potatoes, 2 lb bag of carrots, 2 lb onions, bag of apples, and other seasonal fruits and vegetables

The Barrie Good Food Box is a community buying program

Community Connection / 211 created this website through a partnership with the Simcoe County Nutrition Network and the Food Partner's Alliance of Simcoe County. Designed to make it easier for health and social services providers and consumers to link to healthy eating and food security services and initiatives in the County.

Assists the community in providing available resources to nutritious local food. Projects include:

Community Garden

• Located at Bradford Lions Park (on Colborn St, Bradford)
• $45 for 4x 6 plot
• Space is limited, call for information

Community Meal

• Program is currently on hold
• Adults wishing to assist with community meal, call for information

Volunteer opportunities, information and referral to partnered charities and agencies

Give Back Awards -- cash award to graduating high school students from Aurora, Georgina, King and Newmarket for exceptional contributions to fellow students and citizens and ongoing community involvement

Tree Planting -- coordinates spring tree planting day each spring in Aurora, East Gwilimbury, Georgina, King and Newmarket, partnership with Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority

Fall Food Drive -- volunteer groups are assigned to grocery store and encourage shoppers to donate, donations are distributed to local food banks

Holiday Gift Drive -- collects and distributes holiday gifts to charitable organizations

Community programs offering healthy, accessible and sustainable food and related education and assistance

Seeds for Change (Urban Agriculture)

• community gardens
• workshops for growing and processing food, urban agriculture development

Good Food Box -- fresh produce for purchase

Community Breakfast -- drop in to help prepare then enjoy free breakfast with other community members

Community Cooks -- food safety knowledge and skills for food shopping, preparation and storage through hands-on training in commercial kitchen

Poverty reduction foundation, enhanced food security and education for self reliance

Community Development Program ​includes

• The Maple Tree Community Garden
• seasonal Night Market
• Seed Library
• Table Talks

Social Supports Program includes

• information and referrals to services such as housing, income support, and mental health
• brief solution focused counselling
• drop-in sessions (see separate listing)

Women's Services

• referrals to emergency services
• emergency clothing/household items
• assistance with transportation to a shelter

Community Hub with multiple collaborative services of partner organizations with a focus on nutritious food and community programs. Includes a meeting space.

Food Support Program (Food Bank)

• community kitchen
• farmers, residents and food distributors donate excess produce and products
• Assistance with Basic Needs Program -- emergency financial assistance for help with utility bills

Social Destination

• free general interest courses
• social support in the form of programs addressing life's challenges such as finding a job or affordable housing
• Santa Fund Program of Christmas baskets with items donated by the community including collection of perishable and non-perishable food items, new toys, gift cards and cash donations

Partner services include:

• Counselling and Care Coordination Program
• mental health supports
• partners include Brampton Caledon Community Living, Canadian Mental Health Association Peel, Peace Ranch, PCHS, Rapport Youth and Family Services, SHIP, and Volunteer MBC, see website for complete list

Collects and delivers perishable and non-perishable food for community food pantries, agencies, schools, and nonprofit housing cooperatives in York Region

• collects surplus products from food retailers, food manufacturers, food distributors, restaurants, hotels, farmers, the Ontario Association of Food Banks, Food Banks Canada, and individuals across the Greater Toronto Area

Does not distribute food directly to individuals

Domestic program -- financial support to child nutrition programs in First Nations communities across Canada

Overseas program -- long term community development in areas of food security, education and capacity building

Works to relieve hunger around the world by holding dinners, concerts, and growing field crops. Fall concert held in October at a Meaford church. Tax receipts are available for donations.

Meets to plan fundraising, dinners and events

For more information on the national organization: Canadian Foodgrains Bank

A community collaborative to reduce poverty led by YWCA Muskoka and community partners. Matches low income families (Circle Leaders) with community volunteers of a higher income (Allies).

Meets weekly for meals, discussion, support, growth and fun. Big View meetings held once per month and feature a far-ranging discussion of the causes of poverty in the community and how to address them.

Volunteer allies needed

Distribution warehouse that supplies food to member agencies such as food banks/food cupboards, school breakfast programs and social service agencies.

Programs include:

• open gardens
• virtual cooking classes
• summer lunch programs

Visit website for programs details.

KLFS does not distribute food directly to the public.

Family Zone -- family building activities, life skills and educational workshops for Food bank families


Youth Dimensions -- volunteer opportunities for at risk youth to develop personal skills and community engagement


Individuals Conquering Addictions Now (ICAN) -- one on one recovery support for individuals facing addictions

Pre-employment support services -- assistance with job search, resume writing, developing references, volunteer placements

• access to computers and telephone

Choices Retreat -- fee for service program for Peel students to raise awareness on the issues of hunger, poverty, and homelessness through educational and interactive activities


Information and referral * summer camp for low income children * intergenerational mentoring between seniors and at risk families * workshops on the prevention and management of diet related illnesses * Holiday Hampers for needy families, with donated food, toys and clothing

COVID19 -- Still delivering paid Good Food Box across the City, boxes can be ordered for a fee at goodfoodbox.foodshare.net

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Community Food Programs -- food justice education for children, youth, adults, seniors and educators

Baby and Toddler Nutrition -- training and information on making healthy homemade baby food from fresh affordable food

Community Food Growing Programs -- information, training and resources, growing food and communities, composting, beekeeping, school gardens

Commercial Kitchen -- fully equipped kitchen for community-based groups and small businesses that do not have access to a commercial kitchen, fee

Bulk Produce -- offering fresh produce and pre-packaged snacks to schools, community groups and businesses, fee

• to set up an account, place an order or learn more email orders@foodshare.net

Good Food Box -- fee

• individuals can order fresh produce boxes and other food items online at
  goodfoodbox.foodshare.net
• agencies looking to order Good Food Boxes in bulk and have them delivered to a central location, email orders@foodshare.net

Good Food Markets -- weekly community run produce market selling affordable and culturally appropriate fruits and vegetables

COVID-19 -- open, food deliveries only

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• Collects, sorts and distributes food to a network of neighbourhood food programs including food banks, shelters, prenatal programs, meal programs and community kitchens in northern Toronto
• food bank and meal program referrals
• community garden projects
• pick-your-own farm trips
• public education on hunger and poverty issues
• professional development
• volunteer opportunities

Lawrence Heights Community Food Space, Bathurst-Finch Community Food Bank and Oriole Food Space -- see separate entries

Program provides

• listing of locations and phone numbers where food is available throughout Durham Region
• Discover your Inner Chef food budget curriculum and food budget kit
• food budgeting information to eat healthy on a limited budget
• food insecurity resources available on website to help organizations support clients experiencing food insecurity

Assistance in developing programs which focus on financial literacy and coaching, helping people with low income to file taxes and access government benefits, improving access for low income people to safe and affordable financial services and helping them to build savings and assets

• consumer protection and education
• also policy development, program management, information exchange, capacity building, public education and research

Benefits wayfinder -- for current information on federal, provincial and territorial benefits, including those related to COVID-19 CLICK HERE

COVID19 -- visit website or call for information

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Services, programs and advocacy to address the problems of food access and hunger

• open to community ideas for use of resources
• member of Daily Bread Food Bank

Drop-in

• community dining
• food bank
• community gardening
• community kitchens, bake oven
• information and referral
• community advocacy
• Healthy Beginnings -- prenatal nutrition and support
• Green Barn -- sustainable food production and education centre
• Farmers Market
• Good Food Market
• in partnership with other agencies, ID clinic, help to find and keep housing, legal service referrals, settlement orientation to the community with information and referral to other services, dietetic counselling
• educational and recreational sessions

Member agency of Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN)

Pay what you can grocery store and café

• food reclamation and meals program

Provides food to a network of neighbourhood agencies throughout Mississauga

• no onsite food bank at this location

Find your local food bank through search function on the website, Need Food? www.themississaugafoodbank.org/need-food

Food Bank 2 Home -- at home delivery service for residents within Mississauga unable to visit their local food bank

• must meet eligibility criteria, for information visit www.themississaugafoodbank.org/applyhomedelivery

Campaigns against regressive government policies
social assistance advocacy