Who We Are

 

We are a volunteer-based grassroots community organization that aims at reducing food waste by redirecting food surplus to the residents of Centretown Ottawa who need it the most.

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We have the support of Centretown Churches Social Action Committee (CCSAC), Centretown Community Food Centre (CCFC), Ottawa Community Food Partnership (OCFP), Food Sharing Ottawa, and other like-minded community organizations.

 

How We Work

 

Public Foods fridge and pantry are open at any time of day or night and compliment the work of the Centretown Community Food Centre which is open with limited hours.

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We reach out to businesses to collect surplus food that would otherwise be wasted and we encourage individuals and communities who have a little extra to share with those who do not. All donations, be they food or monetary, are turned back to where they are needed most and are made available to Centretown community through the fridge and pantry.

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Community volunteers check on the fridge and pantry twice a day for maintenance, cleaning, stocking and reporting anything that is amiss.

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How IT STARTED

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Representatives from Glebe St. James United Church, Ottawa Community Housing, Centretown Community Health Centre, and the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism, of Carleton University met in the spring of 2022 to begin collaboration over this worthwhile project. In May 2022, Architecture students* began the construction of the shelter at 415 MacLaren Street. Arlington Five Café generously donated the fridge, and Public Foods’ fridge and pantry opened its doors on October 6, 2022.

 

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*Students in the Architecture of Community Care seminar, part of the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism, Carleton University.