Latest updates 06/07/2018 MONTREAL, June 7, 2018 | A new partnership between the NDG Food Depot and Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) will see the respected Montreal organization join a national network of Community Food Centres that are working to improve the health and well-being of Canadians struggling with poverty and food insecurity. As part of the partnership, the NDG Food Depot will change its name to The Depot Community Food Centre / Le Dépot centre communautaire d’alimentation. The Depot will host an open house at their new location at 6450 Somerled Avenue on June 20 between 5 and 7 p.m. where people can learn more about its programs and the partnership. The Depot was founded as a food bank 30 years ago and has been working in recent years to build on its mandate, expanding to offer more health-building food programs like community kitchens and gardens, seasonal markets, and Boite à Lunch, an edible education after-school program in 18 schools across Montreal. CFCC has collaborated with The Depot in its transition to a Community Food Centre, and is providing core funding as part of the partnership. “We’re excited to be able to recognize The Depot as the first Community Food Centre in Quebec,” said Nick Saul, President and CEO of Community Food Centres Canada. “We look forward to supporting them with funding and capacity-building tools that will help them to continue to meet the needs of their community. And we are eager to see their leadership in action both within the province’s community food sector and nationally.“ “We are thrilled to be joining Community Food Centres Canada’s national network,” said Daniel Rotman, Executive Director, The Depot Community Food Centre. “The Depot and CFCC share the belief that everyone deserves access to healthy food and to be treated with respect and dignity. Our partnership will only help to further our mission to make sure everyone feels part of a community and has a seat at the table.” The Depot is located in the culturally diverse Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood and serves a large portion of Montreal’s west end. Poverty rates in the area are higher than average, with 33 percent of children living in low-income households. As a Community Food Centre, The Depot will continue to offer empowering programs that have a positive impact on the health and well-being of low-income community members. In 2017, 75 per cent of participants said The Depot provides an important source of healthy food, and 91 per cent said they feel part of a community there.