Community Food Centres Canada grew out of the idea that food can be a powerful tool for change. And the belief that when you create a space where people can come together around food, you can transform lives. The idea for a Community Food Centre (CFC) was born at The Stop in Toronto. The Stop began as a food bank and transformed into a place where people could share a good meal, learn to grow and cook nutritious food, and take action on the issues that affect their lives. Organizations across the country were intrigued by The Stop’s evolution and reached out to learn how they could create a CFC in their communities. So Nick Saul and Kathryn Scharf founded Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC). In the 10 years since, CFCC has built 15 more CFCs in partnership with local communities, expanded the good food movement to 400 national partners, launched a series of health-focused special projects, and has become an active voice for equitable policy change. At the heart of Community Food Centres Canada’s work is the belief that food is a basic right. We bring people together around good food so communities can thrive. Read our latest Gratitude Report! The last 10 years The beginning A new model Nick Saul + the team at The Stop envision a new model to move beyond a food bank. 2010 The philosophy Kathryn Scharf and Nick Saul co-author, In Every Community a Place for Food The Role of the Community Food Centre in Building a Local, Sustainable, and Just Food System, with Dr. Charles Levkoe, funded by the Metcalf Foundation. The paper explores how the Community Food Centre (CFC) model developed at the Stop in Toronto could be replicated 2011 The first Community Food Centres Two pilot sites are set up at The Local CFC in Stratford and The Table CFC in Perth, Ontario to bring the CFC model in other communities. 2012 Launch of the national organization Community Food Centres Canada launches. Read all about it. 2013 CFC expansion across the country Two new CFCs open, including NorWest Co-op CFC in Winnipeg, Manitoba, bringing the number of CFCs to five. 2014 A good food movement grows The Good Food Organization community is launched to share knowledge, resources and build capacity in the community food sector. Igniting innovation CFCC’s first health-focused program, FoodFit, launches with support from Public Health Agency of Canada. 2015 First CFCs outside Ontario Three new CFCs open: The North Grove CFC in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; Hamilton CFC in Hamilton, Ontario; and, The Alex CFC in Calgary, Alberta. Good food gathering The first Food Summit is held, the first conference of its kind, bringing together community food organizations from across Canada. 2018 First CFC in Quebec and first Indigenous-led CFC The Depot CFC launches in Montreal Quebec — the first in Quebec — and the Natoaganeg CFC opens, making it the first Indigenous-led CFC. An RX for healthy eating The second health-focused project program Market Greens launches. 2019 Two more makes a dozen CFC partners Two new CFCs, Mount Paul CFC and Nelson CFC launch in British Columbia, bringing the total to 12. 2020 Coast to coast to coast Qajuqturvik CFC becomes the first CFC in the northern territory of Nunavut. Meeting the moment Launch of the Good Fund Access Fund, which raised and granted more than $50M to support local communities through the pandemic. 2021 First CFC in Saskatchewan Turnor Lake & Birch Narrows CFC launches — the first in Saskatchewan. Good food movement grows 3x Record intake of new Good Food Organizations. Program triples in size. 2022 CFCs take root in more communities Carrefour Solidaire CFC and Roots CFC launch, bringing the total to 15 CFCs coast to coast to coast. Promoting mental health through food Mind Your Food launches. Fighting for the right to food CFCC’s new Poverty Action Unit is created.