We are pleased to highlight the work of the Mount Pleasant Food Network (MPFN), currently coordinated by Food Stash Foundation and previously by Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. Over the years, both host agencies have helped to bring together a variety of neighbourhood food organizations to build a strong foundation of community connections to help address local food insecurity.
In 2014, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House launched the MPFN, joining our family of Food Networks and created a suite of food programs within the Neighbourhood House and beyond. These included food skills workshops, community kitchens, meal programs, and a school garden program at Queen Alexandra Elementary. One special program was called Resurfacing History, led by Indigenous leader Jolene Andrews, which focused on community learning, sharing, and mentorship for promoting an understanding of the land around us and in our communities. The program in particular worked with Indigenous community members to learn and practice land-based teachings. The program lasted two years prior to COVID shutting many programs down.
Fast forward several years and the Mount Pleasant Food Network was struggling; COVID and high coordinator turnover saw the MPFN go dormant. Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House was ready to pass the torch.
In 2022, Food Stash Foundation took over coordination of the MPFN. As it turned out, they were the perfect agency who recognized the importance of rebuilding the MPFN. While principally a food recovery and distribution organization, Food Stash had a “community engagement” position within the organization whose role dovetailed with MPFN’s work.
Executive Director Carla Pellegrini says “we recognize that our work is vital in addressing urgent issues like hunger and food waste; we equally recognize that it is a temporary solution to a flawed food system. To push for longer-term changes, we are involved in efforts like coordinating the Mount Pleasant Food Network. We want to see surplus food being prevented, not just diverted, as well as income-based solutions to address the poverty that drives food insecurity. This kind of policy advocacy takes time and takes collaboration, and we’re stronger if we do it together.”
We want to see surplus food being prevented, not just diverted, as well as income-based solutions to address the poverty that drives food insecurity.
Rebuilding the MPFN after 2+ years of inactivity took time, even just bringing together all the local agencies again in a regular monthly meeting. Today the network is much stronger and includes Sole Food Street Farms, Trinity Grace United Church, Union Gospel Mission, Jewish Family Services, 411 Seniors, Columbia College, Farm to Plate Marketplace, Oasis Cafe, Broadway Youth Resource Centre, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, Oasis Cafe, and Spirit of Life Lutheran Church — an impressive array of local organizations offering various forms of community food programming.
Under the leadership of Heather Gerrie, who left her position this August in pursuit of medical school, the MPFN was able to accomplish:
- Revitalization: activating MPFN after 2+ years of inactivity
- Stability: building out of the MPFN to a stable point with consistent attendance
- Projects: MPFN resource guide, political briefs, 2024 Asset and Needs Scan, Seniors Community Kitchen Project
Key Findings of the Asset and Need Scan
Authored by Karen Giesbrecht and Heather Gerrie in consultation with all MPFN partners, the purpose of this scan was to assess the sustainability of food assets in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood in the wake of COVID-19 with an emphasis on those experiencing food insecurity and low-income individuals. The guiding question was: “What does sustainability mean to community food programs in Mount Pleasant and how are they fostering it?”
Interviewees began by identifying three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, logistical, and organizational longevity. Partners identified the key motivator for participants accessing their programs as food insecurity. Both food donors and recipients seek options beyond emergency food relief that incorporate factors such as cultural appropriateness, environmental sustainability, low income, and social connection.
Partners have noted demographic changes among their participants, including an influx of middle-class households, newcomers from Afghanistan and Ukraine, people from other neighbourhoods in Vancouver, seniors, and workers. This is due to a rise in basic living expenses, refugees fleeing war, and vulnerable individuals with increased needs for support.
Food programs are essential to food security and community well-being. They yield a variety of benefits, including but not limited to community empowerment, innovation, purpose, return on investment, smooth operations, social connections, and strong partnerships. However, organizations still face continuous challenges, including public awareness about food insecurity, a need for data tracking and impact reporting, and financial resilience.
And as Heather moves on from her role as the MPFN Coordinator, she leaves behind these important reflections:
So a big thank you to Heather and all her work rebuilding the Mount Pleasant Food Network.
Movement building is slow work. But networking and relationship building are the foundation of systems change work, whether at the neighbourhood level through community development or at the national level through policy and advocacy work. But it all begins locally as the foundation of politically engaged citizenry.