Item - 2019.EC7.14

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1.  Requested the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee with an update on the development and implementation of a Neighbourhood Food Hub model at the Glen Rhodes Church and include information on the following:

a.  securing ongoing space at the Glen Rhodes Church to continue the Neighbourhood Food Hub by validating rental costs with the Church;

b.  coordinating City activities at the Church through Applegrove Community Complex and explore establishing a satellite location at the church for Applegrove as it is currently housed in a local Toronto District School Board (TDSB) school which has a rapidly expanding student body;

c.  identifying the funding required to sustain the Neighbourhood Food Hub on an ongoing basis at the Church; and

d.  developing a robust governance structure for the community food hub that can take advantage of the many opportunities offered by the Neighbourhood Food Hub.

Glen Rhodes United Church on Gerrard Street East currently hosts a food bank that has approximately 30,000 visits each year and a monthly community dinner that serves 100 – 120 meals at each sitting. The Glen Rhodes Church is ideally suited to house a neighbourhood food hub that provides programs and services geared to preserving and expanding access to healthy food and other complimentary services.

In January 2018 the Community Development and Recreation Committee requested the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to assist in the exploration of increasing food access in East Toronto through the potential of a food hub at Glen Rhodes Church or another suitable location to meet the deep needs of the community through establishing a working group in consultation with the local Councillor.

As a result, staff from Social Development Finance and Administration, Toronto Public Health, Shelter Support and Housing Administration and Solid Waste Management Services have been working with community partners to create a neighbourhood food hub model in the Glen Rhodes Church. Staff from the Applegrove Community Complex, a City Association of Community Centres, has been leading the development of the hub in collaboration with staff from FoodShare Toronto.

It continues to develop into a unique and exciting project focused on food with an added approach to community inclusion.

I want to thank Deputy City Manager Giuliana Carbone and all of the city staff who have worked on this project to date, in particular the co-ordination role played by Social Development, Finance and Administration.