2023 was a fantastic year of local food initiatives and community-driven projects. Our organization is powered entirely by volunteers and donations. Here’s what we achieved together last year:

Scaling of FoodCare Program:

We continued to scale its mobile holiday meal program, FoodCare, which initially began as a COVID-19 mobile emergency food relief program.

FoodCare evolved into a seasonal food security initiative, providing prepared meals to individuals experiencing food insecurity during holidays such as Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve. The Christmas program expands its scope beyond prepared meals to include a box of fresh produce, baked treats, healthy snacks, and other essential items.

Through a community collaboration with Prep Food Co. and sourcing fresh produce from Burnham Family Farm Market, FoodCare has made a significant impact. In 2023 alone, it successfully fed over 1,000 people, with more than half of them being children and youth, underscoring the crucial role it plays in addressing food insecurity in our community.

Community Food Fridge Launch:

We introduced a groundbreaking solution to food insecurity, launching Northumberland's first Community Food Fridge in partnership with the Cobourg Public Library. This innovative initiative was later relocated to The Warming Hub at St. Peter’s Church in October. This initiative addresses food access, security, and rescue, rescuing food from 17 local businesses, including restaurants, caterers, grocery stores, and Food 4 All (Northumberland County's regional food distribution hub).

Capacity Building Grant:

We received a capacity-building grant from the federal government to enhance operations and invest in organizational infrastructure and systems, demonstrating recognition and support for our efforts to address the increasing need for food security assistance in Northumberland County.

These achievements highlight our commitment to community collaboration, innovation, and addressing food insecurity through both prepared meal programs and innovative solutions. The grant further positions the organization to strengthen its regional impact and support.