Description

The Community Food Centre Model: Using Food Programming to Promote Healthy Eating, Improve Mental Health and Provide Spaces for Social Inclusion

Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) has created a multi-pronged model called the Community Food Centre (CFC). CFCs bring food, place and programming together which promotes positive social interaction for individuals who are facing income instability. Results from annual surveys indicate that people attending CFCs feel a sense of belonging to a community and increase their social network. At this workshop you will learn how to develop programs and spaces with an emphasis on social inclusion. We will also examine the role that food can play in making a positive impact on mental health through interventions like community gardens, kitchens and meal programs.

About the Presenters:

Rekha Cherian (Program Manager, Community Food Centres of Canada) joined the Community Food Centres Canada team in 2017 as a program manager to support existing and the development of new Community Food Centres across Canada. She has a Masters of Social Work from Dalhousie University and brings several years of experience working in the social service field with people who are living in poverty, facing additions, are food insecure and have chronic physical and mental health issues.  She spent the last 7 years overseeing and developing the healthy food bank and other food programming at The Stop Community Food Centre.

Linor David (Program Manager, Community Food Centres of Canada) joined Community Food Centres Canada in 2014 as a program manager to support the development of partner Community Food Centres. She has worked previously for Queen West Community Health Centre as a health promoter and at The Stop Community Food Centre. Her interest lie in adult education, health equity, and community food programming. She teaches in the School of Community and Health Studies at Centennial College.