“If I hadn’t come here, I would be a very sick, unhealthy person. This is a really good support centre. It's a means of support, and people do need that, especially if they're sick. It promotes that kind of community: health, food.” An innovative partnership Established in 2015, NorWest Co-op CFC was the first Community Food Centre to open in western Canada. It was developed as a partnership between NorWest Co-op Community Health Centre and Community Food Centres Canada -- the first of its kind. The NorWest Co-op CFC is located in the neighbourhood of Inkster, next to the largest social housing complex in Manitoba. Inkster is a community with large Filipino, First Nations, and senior populations. The neighbourhood has high rates of poverty, food insecurity and unemployment. The Community Health Centre saw a need for healthy food programming in Inkster and wanted to be able to deliver. By developing a Community Food Centre, they pioneered a unique approach that allows health care providers such as nurses and dietitians to collaborate with the community to better meet their needs. From having a public health nurse at the CFC's healthy baby group, to getting a mobile diabetes screening program on-site during community kitchen sessions, the Community Health Centre/Community Food Centre partnership pairs up programs to reach new people and provide them with services in a comfortable, less clinical setting that facilitates relationship-building and trust. Donate to NorWest Co-op CFC