Community through the power of good food
Community Building Programs
The power of good food shares an essential entry point to inspire, equip and empower all of our Community, centered upon equitable access and collaborative learning.
Introducing: Mino’Weesini, Thirteen: A Social Enterprise, Growing Futures, the Ottawa Community Food Partnership and Cooking For A Cause Ottawa.
GROCERY PROGRAM
Mino’Weesini, the Grocery Program by The Parkdale Food Centre, is a special place in the heart of our community. It is currently located at 5 Hamilton Avenue North, just a hop, skip and jump away from the PFC location.
This program is the foundation for something new, and exciting.
What does Mino’Weesini stand for?
Mino’Weesini is an Algonquin term meaning ‘good eats’ and the transformative power of sharing good food.
To honour the land at Hamilton Avenue North, the name Mino’Weesini was selected in consultation with the Elders of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation.
At Mino’Weesini, Grocery Program we believe in the human right to food.
A Social enterprise
Thirteen A Social Enterprise (13:ASE) is an entrepreneurial program of the Parkdale Food Centre. We engage youth who are seeking employment and skills development opportunities in the operation of our social enterprise.
By engaging participants in all aspects of business decisions and development, in a collaborative and supported space, this program helps participants gain strong emotional and social skills as well as confidence in themselves and their future.
GROWING FUTURES
Our Solutionary Workshops: Identify, Connect & Moblize
We empower youth of all ages to become Solutionaries equipping them with the tools to tackle complex community issues through our dynamic and COVID-safe, 1 hour workshops both virtually and in our outdoor garden space. Workshops combine big conversations with hands-on food skill development. Our workshops are customizable to topics the youth you engage with are interested in.
Ottawa Community Food Partnership
Shifting the way we think about the food charity model in Ottawa.
Under the administrative lead of The Parkdale Food Centre, The Ottawa Community Food Partnership was created in 2016 to support the shift away from a traditional food charity model by moving towards meaningful community engagement and food security. The partnership supports organizations across Ottawa that are working in community food security, such as emergency food providers, health centres, and community resource centres.
Cooking For A Cause Ottawa
Ottawa food businesses making a profound impact in our community
During the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Ottawa Community Food Partnership launched the Cooking with a Cause Ottawa initiative. Cooking for a Cause Ottawa is helping a variety of food businesses do what they do best: make delicious food, while making a profound impact in their communities.