THUNDER BAY — Changes are coming at the food-focused not-for-profit Roots to Harvest in Thunder Bay.
The organization has signed on with Community Food Centres Canada to become a community food centre in development.
In an announcement Monday, it said the community food centre model will enhance its capacity to provide dignified food access.
"Having a CFC in Thunder Bay means that our region will be more a part of the national conversation around dignified food access and the root causes of food insecurity, but from the lens of Northwestern Ontario," executive director Erin Beagle said.
The transition will bring some changes, including a new name – Roots Community Food Centre.
"Things will change, and things will stay the same," Beagle said in an interview. "What we really want people to know is that everything you know and love about Roots to Harvest will still be here. We'll still be doing youth employment, we'll still be in schools, we'll still be doing cooking programs and all the work that we've done around our community and our region."
What will be added, however, is a significant expansion of services.
A community dining room will be established at the existing headquarters on Fort William Road to provide sit-down meals twice-weekly for seniors and Elders, including a monthly traditional meal in partnership with the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre.
A new community food market will also be set up there to provide fresh fruits and vegetables at wholesale prices to people on limited incomes.
These markets are currently operated in the Limbrick area of the city and at Gull Bay First Nation.
"We've gone into this decision with a lot of care and consulting," Beagle said.
During the planning stage, local stakeholders were invited to meet with CFCC, including representatives of the Dew Drop Inn, the Indigenous Food Circle, the Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy, and the Good Food Box program.
Roots to Harvest will receive $75,000 annually from the national organization, and may also benefit from CFCC's ability to leverage additional support from national partners.
Community Food Centres Canada already has 13 operations across the country.
Chiefs Programs Officer Kathryn Scharf said "We've seen Roots to Harvest work as a leader in their community for a long time. The organization's creative, inclusive approach to providing dignified access to food – as well as a host of programs that build connection and health – has led to it becoming a trusted go-to agency."
Roots to Harvest will continue to operate autonomously with its own board of directors, staffing and finances.
"We really come under just the principles and values of what Community Food Centres Canada holds across the country," Beagle said.
Besides providing programs in the areas of healthy food access, and skills to grow and cook food, CFCC advocates on the issues of health equity, income inequality and social isolation.
