West End Food Coop Finds a Permanent Home with bonds

Marvelously, the West End Food Coop has found a home. They have used their own bond issue to raise the funds to get this far, but are now putting a push on to raise the balance of the funds to open their new space. Exciting to see on-the-ground communities using community financing tools to make real things happen. Kudos!

Unique Food Co-op Partners with Community Health Centre

Non-profit West End Food Co-op launches “Food Close to Home Campaign” to raise final funds to open local food store at Parkdale Community Health Centre

TORONTO—Popular Sorauren Farmers’ Market organizer the West End Food Co-op (WEFC) aims to open a store in Parkdale by the end of the year, promoting local food and food security.  WEFC has partnered with key community health provider, Parkdale Community Health Centre at the corner of Queen and Dufferin and will launch their store in the lower level of the building.

“The West End Food Co-op has been offered a unique and historic opportunity to take up residence at Parkdale CHC,” said WEFC Financial Coordinator Sally Miller, “this opportunity will link two non-profit, community-oriented organizations in food security work to create a stronger and healthier west end.”

The West End Food Co-op is a unique multistakeholder model owned and operated by its members who are farmers, consumers, workers and community partners. WEFC members created the co-op to build a sustainable food hub that links local food producers and consumers and provides healthy and culturally appropriate food to everyone. The West End Food Co-op runs the Sorauren Farmers’ Market (Mondays from 3-7 in Sorauren Park), now entering its fourth year, and launched the highly successful Parkdale Community Cannery last year with preserving workshops and the Community Shared Orchard.

“We are thrilled to partner with the West End Food Co-op,” said Carla Ribeiro, Executive Director of Parkdale CHC, “this partnership will represent a step forward for us on the food security front and will be a valuable resource for our clients and the community as a whole.”  Parkdale CHCis a non-profit, community-based health centre offering a variety of health services including primary health care, counselling, health promotion, and outreach. Parkdale CHC gives priority to individuals and groups who traditionally encounter barriers to accessing high quality health care services.

Ayal Dinner, WEFC’s Operations Coordinator, added “in order to create this community landmark, WEFC needs to raise the remaining funds through investments and fund-raising, enabling us to create a community food hub that we can be proud of. We have launched the ‘2011 Food Close to Home Campaign’ to make it happen.”  This fundraising campaign will include events, auctions, donation drives and the second round of WEFC community bond sales. The public can learn more about this campaign and the store at www.westendfood.coop.

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CONTACT:

Sally Miller, Financial Coordinator, WEFC, sally@westendfood.coop 416-762-4952

Ayal Dinner, Operations Coordinator, WEFC, ayal@westendfood.coop 647-773-6958

Carla R. Ribeiro, Executive Director, PCHC, Carla.Ribeiro@pchc.on.ca, 416-537-0275 X 307