The Local Community Food Centre
612 Erie Street N5A 2P1 Stratford, ON, Canada

The City of Stratford has announced new programs aimed at helping low-income residents across the county catch up on their rent, mortgage and utility payments.

A positive step forward by Stratford Police Service in increasing the resources available to our neighbours experiencing a mental health crisis. Thank you, Jen and MacGregor, for being on the front lines! "For too long, the health-care system has relied on police to respond to mental health crises in the community...Mental Health is health. This means that people experiencing a mental health crisis need health care." ~ Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (https://www.cbc.ca//canada//police-mental-crisis-1.5623907)

The Federal Emergency Community Support Fund has allowed us to invest in our community to support the most vulnerable. The Local Community Food Centre is the... recipient of a grant to provide healthy, home-cooked meals, available for curbside pickup as well as home delivery. #LocalLove #ECSFund Funded by the Government of Canada See more

Everyone at The Local was deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of Corolla Neller, a long-serving and dedicated member of our volunteer force. Thank you for your contributions to our community, Corolla. You'll be dearly missed. Our deepest condolences to her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. https://stratfordbeaconherald.remembering.ca//corolla-nell

Everyone is experiencing emotions and stress related to the pandemic. Be reminded that our partners at Family Services Perth-Huron are available if you become o...verwhelmed or start to loose your way. Its OK to not be OK. Mental Health is #UNIGNORABLE @stratfordccbia; Stratford Perth Centre For Business; Orr Insurance & Investment; Stratford Perth Community Foundation; Hyde Construcition Limitied

We're happy to help continue this annual spirit-lifting community tradition...particularly at a time when our community spirit needs as much lifting as we can give her! #ToStratfordWithLove #NeedALittleChristmas #InThisTogether

STAFF HIGHLIGHT: Jenn Parsons joined the organization in 2015 to spearhead the special Farm Fresh Project. Once that project was completed, we were able to continue to benefit from her skills, moving her into the Storehouse Coordinator role. As the organization grew, so did her position, and in 2018 she became our Food Logistics Manager. To help her in her new role, she earned her certification as a Hub Manager through the University of Vermont. She also holds a diploma ...in nutrition through the Institute of Holistic Nutrition. Jenn has been instrumental in developing protocols as they relate to our food procurement and allocations, and is a valued part of our team. Her solution focused approach and ability to relate to anyone, no matter what their background or circumstance, are just a few of her amazing strengths. In her down time, Jenn enjoys cooking, yoga, and hanging out with her 3 children. See more

This is what inequity looks like. #povertyrisks

We expect the importance of low-cost, community-based produce markets like ours to increase as food prices continue to rise in 2021. Prices at our Community Access Market on fresh, healthy produce and unprocessed local meats are significanly lower than grocery retail. But, on top of that, a $10 instant voucher made possible by funding from President's Choice Children's Charity will be available once per visit to every market shopper until March 31st! Strict Covid protocols i...n accordance with Huron Perth Public Health recommendations will continue to be in place to protect staff and community members. Please be patient and kind to everyone during your visit. Don't forget to pick up a free community lunch while you're here or talk to our Community Connector, Matthew, about other resources that may be available to you. We look forward to seeing your masked faces soon! #MoreThanGoodFood

FoodShare Toronto's Paul Taylor and PROOF Canada's Valerie Tarasuk argue compellingly on CBC Radio: The Current this morning that if we want to get serious about the food insecurity that now affects 1 in 7 Canadians, we need to stop relying on charities to address what can only be solved by public policy change! Note: segment starts at the 22-minute mark. #BuildBackBetter #RightToFood #FoodJustice... https://www.cbc.ca///the-current-for-nov-26-2020-1.5817137

A huge thank you to Tradition Mutual Insurance Co for funding a new walk in freezer for The Local. Our storehouse infrastructure is at the end of its life span and we are more than grateful that this community minded business stepped up to ensure we can continue to store the vast amount of food we procure for our meals and programs. Another example of why we should support our local businesses. https://www.facebook.com/TraditionInsurance/ @traditionmutualinsurance #givingback #supportlocal #communitymindedbusiness

Community Call-to-Action: How do our programs and advocacy efforts to increase access to good, healthy food here in Stratford connect to global movements for food justice and sovereignty? An amazing panel assembled for the final session of Food Secure Canada's #CultivatingChange2020 discusses the topic at 2pm this afternoon! Join us at https://foodsecurecanada.org/.../cultivating-change-program!

SAVE THE DATE: The Good Lovelies Christmas Time’s a Comin' Tour is coming virtually to the homes of Stratford on Friday, December 18th at 7pm. Grab take-out fo...r the evening, cozy up, and support our hospitality workers fund, of which BIA is a proud partner. A United Way Collaboration, we also thank our other community partners: Black Swan Brewing Co., Pazzo Taverna & Pizzeria, The Local Community Food Centre, Meades Entertainment. A portion of the ticket sales will be going directly into this fund. All Together Campaign Hospitality Workers Fund was created for Hospitality Workers in Stratford -- who are among the most economically affected people in our region. The recovery for the hospitality sector is expected to be slow, and we are doing our part to help make the lives of those affected more manageable. And we are asking you to, also -- by joining us in this fun evening of talent and music -- to celebrate the holiday season. Tickets may be purchased at https://www.universe.com//good-lovelies-christmas-times-a- For more information on the All Together Campaign Hospitality Workers Fund https://perthhuron.unitedway.ca/all-together/

"Many have called COVID-19 a magnifying glass, highlighting disparities and inequalities in our society and economy. No group understands that better than migrant workers."

Kate returns to her kitchen this week with a dish of Dutch comfort called Stompot which simply means, mashed pot. In this case, we're going to mash some potatoes and kale and top it with delicious sliced sausage with a side of pickled relish. Get all the ingredients you need for free by contacting Kate at [email protected] or 519-508-3663 ext 1003 by Thursday at noon. It will be available for pickup at our Friday market from 11:30am - 12:30pm. https://youtu.be/q5_H_NvZxEM

No need for a recipe this week. Kate riffs on the grain salads that are being made popular by our Community Chef Mike. Start making your own! Get all the ingredients you need for free by contacting Kate at [email protected] or 519-508-3663 ext 1003 by Thursday at noon. It will be available for pickup at our Friday market from 11:30am - 12:30pm. https://youtu.be/wV5CuH0A-GQ

Today is the #TransDayofRemembrance. A time to pause & commemorate the trans, two-spirit and non-binary people who have lost their lives to transphobic violence.

Community Call-to-Action: Take action now to call for full and permanent immigration status for all. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada | Parti libral du Canada are quietly developing a plan for COVID-19 recovery that they will announce on September 23rd. They will rely on other political parties, particularly Canadas NDP / Le NPD du Canada Leader Jagmeet Singh to support their vision to ward off an election. Join us in insisting that COVID-19 re...covery must include FULL & PERMANENT IMMIGRATION STATUS FOR ALL. #JustRecovery #BuildBackBetter #MigrantRights #MoreThanGoodFood https://migrantrights.ca/Sep20/

Community Call-to-Action: In celebration of International #BasicIncome Day, lets tell Justin Trudeau and the Government of Canada that we expect him to announce a permanent conversion of CERB into a Basic Income Guarantee for all Canadians in this weeks Throne Speech! We know that at the root of food insecurity in our communities is lack of income...not food. Although not a panacea, Basic Income is an elegantly simple solution that has already been proven pandemic-effective... and has been endorsed by economic thinkers across the political spectrum. What are we waiting for? #JustRecovery #MoreThanGoodFood https://www.ubiworks.ca/cerb-to-basicincome

Community Call-to-Action: Today at 1pm, join Naomi Klein for a special conversation with Anishinaabe water activist Autumn Peltier and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg as they discuss their individual work celebrated in two new films about their journeys and its impact on future generations. Remember, youre never too young to make a change in the world!... #JustRecovery #TIFF #EPICYouth https://tiff.net//youth-for-change-greta-thunberg-autumn-p

#JustRecovery #MoreThanGoodFood #BuildBackBetter

Thank you, United Way Perth-Huron, for your leadership during these trying times. Were humbled to be included on this list of amazing community organizations doing such important work. Theres no doubt that together well get through this stronger and more resilient than ever. #InThisTogether

Remember, youre never too young to make a change in the world! Thank you Sammie for energizing and organizing! Bring your shoes down to the FridaysforFuture Shoe Strike and send the message to John Nater, Randy Pettapiece, and the City of Stratford - The Municipality that we require a strategy for sustainability and an actionable plan to combat climate change right now! #JustRecovery #FridaysForFuture #BuildBackBetter

Our Storehouse team will be delivering this truckload of fresh, healthy, locally-grown produce to the NOURISH Equal Access Food Market in the Town of St. Marys this afternoon from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the St. Marys United Church parking lot at 85 Church Street South. Social distancing and safety rules in effect. This month, the first $10 of your market bill will be paid for by Presidents Choice Childrens Charity! Open to all. Come check it out. Program generously spons...ored by United Way Perth-Huron. #MoreThanGoodFood #CommunityMarkets

Community Call-to-Action: Join Climate Momentum and Fridays For Future Canadas youth-led Climate Shoe Strike on Friday, September 25th by sending a pair of your shoes and, perhaps, a few choice words down to City of Stratford - The Municipality on your behalf. Shoes and messages can be dropped off right here at The Local (in a box located just inside the front door in our dining room) starting today or directly on the steps of City Hall on the day of the event. (Please reme...mber to put your name and contact info inside your shoes and pick them up after the event, too!)* Lets ignite the political will that turning this crisis around will require. The worlds youth (and their shoes) are demanding immediate action! * The Local CFC, Climate Momentum, and Fridays For Future Canada will not be held responsible for the safety and well-being of your shoes while they are off protesting. https://www.facebook.com/events/324654415632197/

A look back on the past year from our national organization, Community Food Centres Canada. Were so excited to be part of this growing network of change-making organizations that now includes 13 Community Food Centres and over 200+ Good Food Organizations across the country working together toward systemic change and food justice! #GoodFoodChangesEverything

Community Call-to-Action: Join Coalition for Healthy School Food Toronto Urban Growers Boys & Girls Club of East Scarborough this morning at 11am for a discussion about how urban agriculture, school, and community food programs can increase food security in a post-pandemic world. #JustRecovery #NourishKidsNow #MoreThanGoodFood

Community Call-to-Action: Join Loreena McKennitt and friends as they launch Stratford-Perth Tree Trust this Friday at The Falstaff Family Centre at 3pm. "The groups goal is to educate the public and enlist the services of trained arborists to help extend the life of legacy trees, while increasing the overall tree canopy in local communities." Registration is required to ensure social distancing.... #ForTheLoveOfTrees https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/for-the-love-of-trees-stratford

Is there anything more soul-satisfying than an Ontario sweet corn chowder in September? Kate doesnt think so. The only thing that could make this any better, according to our Community Chef Mike, is a pinch of nutmeg! Get all the ingredients you need for free by contacting Kate at [email protected] or 519-508-3663 ext 1003 by Thursday at noon. It will be available for pickup at our Friday market from 11:30am - 12:30pm. https://youtu.be/J0mN1WpWmic

"[F]eeding surplus food to those left behind in wealthy, food-secure Canada is ineffective, inequitable and an affront to human dignity. In a democratic society that values tolerance, equity and human rights, food banks are symbols of public policy neglect. They enable indifferent governments to ignore the moral crisis of domestic hunger." #JustRecovery #BuildBackBetter #MoreThanGoodFood... https://theconversation.com/canada-must-eliminate-food-bank

#weekendlongread "Prisons were never designed to be stand-ins for mental health support, addiction care, employment services, or shelters. Instead, they are str...uctured around ideas of punishment, places where we lock em up...Even as notions of reform and healing have muddled their purpose, the ugly truth is that prisons warehouse people we dont want or dont know what to do withpeople our society has failed to support." https://thewalrus.ca/did-prisons-ever-work/

Just Recovery principle 6: Uphold Indigenous rights and work in partnership with Indigenous peoples. Over 500 organizations across Canada endorse the 6 princi...ples of a Just Recovery that weve been sharing the last few weeks. Heres what they about the way forward for Indigenous rights: A Just Recovery must uphold Indigenous Rights and include the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples, in line with the standard of free, prior, and informed consent. Indigenous Peoples require sustained resources and investments that stimulate Indigenous economies, create healthy communities, and protect the lands and waters. Indigenous communities need investment in infrastructure, along with social and health services. In recognizing Indigenous sovereignty, communities must have control over their housing, water, food, and energy. A Just Recovery must include robust renewable energy policy that ensures Indigenous ownership and equitable partnership of renewable energy projects in Indigenous homelands. Indigenous laws, values, customs, and traditions must be recognized and upheld, including the need for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in all jurisdictions. The time to demand a #justrecoveryforall is now! Have you emailed the Prime Minister to tell him you want a just recovery from the pandemic that upholds Indigenous rights? The government is making decisions NOW that will shape our future for years to come. Click here for an easy way to send a message> https://canadians.org/action/demand-just-recovery We can #buildbackbetter for people and planet! #indigenousrights

Community Call-to-Action: Check out this free screening of The Need to GROW, a hopeful film about regenerative agriculture, seed saving, school gardens, and other solution-focused approaches to food security today. Im sure it will make you want to spend the rest of the day getting your hands dirty in the garden or building your own Green Power House or starting a seed library! #JustRecovery #BuildBackBetter #MoreThanGoodFood... https://grow.foodrevolution.org/

While The Local has had to shift and bend for the last 5 months, preparing and distributing over 22,000 meals since April 1st along with 21 episodes of Kates Kitchen, spending countless hours in the community garden, and providing dozens of COVID safe markets, we will ALWAYS believe in the good. We see it every day. In our staff, our board, our volunteers, our gardeners and our patrons. The Local Community Food Centre family has come together like never before and together, we will get through this! Thank you Stratford for your support. If you are able, you can donate by following this link www.thelocalcfc.org

"Why do some people show little empathy for drug users? Dr. Gabor Mat says its because not enough of us recognize the intense personal trauma that pushes a pe...rson to become dependent on illicit substances. "In our society, we tend to look at peoples behaviours, rather than ask what is behind the behaviour," explained the physician and renowned addictions expert." http://ow.ly/4XWo50BowK7

Community Call-to-Action: This is the last day to contribute your thoughts and ideas to the Community Safety and Well-being Plan survey! Lets work together toward achieving the ideal state of a sustainable community where everyone is safe, has a sense of belonging, access to services, and where all of our neighbours and their families are able to meet their needs for education, health care, food, housing, income, and social and cultural expression! #BuildBackBetter #JustReco...very #MoreThanGoodFood https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSWBPsurvey

Our edible forest, located at our Dufferin site community garden is really coming along, thanks to our Edible Forest Team under the leadership of An amazing volunteer, Nigel Saunders, and our garden educator, Lucas Tingle. Next spring, we will be formally naming this area of the project The Karen Powell Memorial Orchard to honour Karen, a member of our inaugural board of directors, who we lost to cancer last year.

Volunteer Highlight: Dale is our longest serving volunteer, starting before the renovations were even completed in our building in 2012. He has participated in several programs here at The Local over the years, but we are particularly thankful for his dedication to our Monday Night Meal Program. Dale has not missed many meal preps except during the initial stages of COVID and can be found in the kitchen for several hours each Monday assisting with chopping, peeling, saut...ing, seasoning and salad creation. His unwavering dedication to The Local has seen him provide leadership to the Monday night volunteer team and we are so very thankful for his contributions. It is individuals like Dale that breathe life into The Local and make it a welcoming place for all. He believes wholeheartedly in the work we do and is happy to be a part of The Local family. Thank you Dale!!

Lets have a look at the amazing things that our sister CFC, The Alex Community Food Centre in Calgary, has been up to during Covid! #MoreThanGoodFood

Like so many organizations, the Inuvik Community Greenhouse had to get creative when pandemic-related restrictions meant its space couldnt open to local garden...ers. So they pivoted to full-on farming and are on track for their best crop ever 3,500 pounds of food in the last two or so months! Read more. See more

How can students be best supported through these challenges? Amongst other things, Sara Kirk argues for a National #SchoolFoodProgram in Canada to support childrens health and well-being.

With job and income loss brought by the pandemic, many #SchoolFood practitioners are concerned with the predicted rising number of children experiencing food in...security. Gita Rao Madan, Food For Thought Toronto organizer shares her thoughts on the end of the summer emergency food aid program for children and the borader existing structural issues around income.

Sammie did it. So can you! Find all of the #JustRecovery Principles in downtown StratfordON for a chance to win Downtown Dollars!

Peer advocacy is such a powerful and important part of Community Food Centres programming. Were happy to see that our sister CFC, Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre, has found an awesome one! Here at The Local, the journey to becoming a peer advocate usually begins with completing our Community Action Training (CAT), a program that weve just been able to restart this week! #MoreThanGoodFood

Check out this helpful clip to learn about Basic Income! In 1974, Canada conducted a landmark basic income experiment in a rural town in Manitoba. Now, decades... later, as countries struggle with high unemployment rates and a global recession in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, debate around whether Canada should have a national basic income has resurfaced. Critics say Canada cant afford it. Advocates say its the best way to address the social inequities and welfare gaps the pandemic exposed, and maybe even better prepare Canada for the next global crisis.

Community Call-to-Action: The federal government is about to give the Canadian economy a multi-billion-dollar kick-start in an effort to recover from the COVID-19 health crisis. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build back a more just, sustainable, and healthy Canada - a Canada that works for everyone, not just the few. But big polluters are pushing the federal government to funnel recovery spending into their pockets instead. With the federal government about to lay out its recovery priorities in the September 23rd Throne Speech, we dont have a moment to waste. **Join the online Day of Action on Wednesday, September 9th, and help pressure politicians to implement a green and #JustRecovery!**

Red dresses will be hanging in the windows of downtown Stratford businesses on Saturday, October 3. Members of the Stratford Indigenous Talking Circle will be leading the two Market Square events on Sunday Oct 4th (sunrise ceremony and vigil). All welcome.

Spaghetti squash, tomato & basil on this weeks Kates Kitchen! Simple, easy to make, and seriously delicious especially right now when all of these ingredients are at their peak coming straight out of the garden! Get all the ingredients you need for free by contacting Kate at [email protected] or 519-508-3663 ext 1003 by Thursday at noon. It will be available for pickup at our Friday market from 11:30am - 12:30pm. https://youtu.be/w8SMIJznaG4

Just over a year ago, Serena Carley joined our team on a maternity leave contract to manage the storehouse, run the markets, and, during this unexpected Covid pandemic, help package and deliver the increased volume of meals going out to community members. Shes become so integral to the team, however, that we had to convince her to stick around and become a permanent member as our new Administrative Assistant! Thanks, Serena, for an amazing year and were all so happy youre going to be staying with us!

Community Call-to-Action: On this #LabourDay, sign this petition telling both the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario farmworkers urgently need protections now! #JustRecovery #MoreThanGoodFood https://harvestingfreedom.org//petition-tell-the-ontario-/

Happy #LabourDay.

Labour Day is one of the most important days on our calendar. The unofficial end to summer and a day to mark the history of working people in Canada. This year,... it feels like there is little to celebrate and yet much to hope for. After the 1918 pandemic the solidarity of Canadian workers paved the way for major health and safety reforms that are with us today #didyouknow #labourday #frontlineworkers The pandemic has been hard for workers across Canada especially #frontlineworkers. Thank you for all you do to keep us healthy and safe #covid19canada This #labourday lets rally virtually for a Canada that ensures all workers have access to reliable and secure supports to keep them and their families healthy and safe CanadianPlan.ca See more