- About
News and resources
Find the latest updates, reports, and tools from Right To Food. Stay informed about the work happening across our network.
Learn more + - Community
Food Centres
Search our network across Canada
Explore our interactive map to discover Community Food Centres and Good Food Organizations across Canada. Learn more about each location and find out how to get involved in the movement for the right to food.
Learn more + - Good Food
Organizations
Our Indigenous Network
As a non-Indigenous organization, Right To Food recognizes our unique role in supporting a wide range of Indigenous-serving programs. We are committed to meeting organizations where they are at, offering diverse program options to foster reconciliation and resurgence.
Learn more + - The Learning
Commons
The Learning Commons at Right To Food
The Learning Commons was created to support and strengthen the sector. Through a range of learning opportunities, peer networks, resources, and gatherings, The Learning Commons offers practical, ongoing support to support organizations that sustain their work and amplify their impact.
Learn more + - Policy and
Advocacy
- Support
Support Right To Food
We believe food is a basic right. Your gift can make lasting change possible.
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Community Food Centres across the country
Community Food Centres are dignified spaces where people grow, cook, share and advocate for good food. Every Community Food Centre provides a range of programs that foster well-being and belonging—from meals to markets, and from community gardens to after-school cooking groups.
Our latest Impact Report
92%
of respondents said that their Community Food Centre is an important source of healthy food.
96%
of respondents feel a sense of belonging at their Community Food Centre.
85%
of respondents said their Community Food Centre improved their health or well-being.
99%
of cooking program participants had or now have confidence cooking and preparing food.
Community Food Centres create spaces where people can come together to learn about poverty and social issues, share their experiences, and advocate for change in their communities.
Walk into any Community Food Centre and you’ll feel it right away. A bright and welcoming space, friendly greetings, and the smell of something delicious coming from the kitchen. Here are several programs that you can expect to find at a Community Food Centre:
Healthy food access
Healthy food access programs provide nourishing food for people living on low incomes. These programs offer fresh food in a way that supports connection and dignity.
Healthy food access programs include:
- community meals
- nourishing food hampers
- affordable produce markets
- community gardens
- harvesting and hunting programs.
Food skills programs
Food skills programs create opportunities for people to learn from workshops, training, and each other. Participants build knowledge, tools, and confidence to cook healthy meals, grow food, and make informed choices for themselves and their families, while strengthening their communities. Through hands-on experience and with the support of their community, people are empowered to make lasting changes to their health.
Food skills programs include:
- interactive community kitchens
- gardening groups and workshops
- cooking and nutrition programs for all ages.
Education and engagement
Community action programs create inclusive spaces for mutual learning, leadership, and shared advocacy. They help people build their ability to advocate for themselves and their communities, while contributing to social change—locally and nationally.
Education and engagement programs include:
- one-on-one confidential support and referrals
- community mobilization for local issues
- supporting engagement with elected representatives
- participation in national policy campaigns
- tax filing and benefit enrollment.
Meet the Community Food Centres
Each Community Food Centre is unique, but all share a commitment to nourishing food, equity, and community power.
The Community Food Centre model
To build Community Food Centres, we partner with local non-profit organizations that are aligned with our approach and Good Food Principles. All Community Food Centres are guided by shared operating standards, with ample flexibility to adapt the standards to local needs and priorities. Right To Food works closely with partners to provide funding and support their capacity around program development, communications, fundraising, and evaluation. We also create a community for Community Food Centres staff to share knowledge and provide mutual mentorship.
Community Food Centres go beyond the traditional charitable approach to providing food support. Instead, they centre dignity, respect, community, and connection.
Right To Food supports 18 Community Food Centres across eight provinces and one territory. They are located in major urban centres, small towns, and First Nations, each responding to unique local and community needs.
Sumac Community Food Centre
An initiative of Right To Food, Sumac Community Food Centre is in Toronto’s Downtown East in a renovated historic building. Located at 340 Gerrard Street East, this building also houses Right To Food’s national headquarters. Sumac Community Food Centre joins our national network of Community Food Centres that use food to promote dignity, equity, and connection. Offering spaces where people can gather to cook and share food—indoors and out, Sumac Community Food Centre supports the local community with a suite of programs that are tailored to the needs and diversity of the neighbourhood, and showcase the best of what we and our partners have learned about offering impactful, inclusive programs.
