Food Close to Home

For 2011, the West End Food Co-op has been offered a unique and historic opportunity to take up residence at the Parkdale Community Health Centre at Queen and Dufferin.  This opportunity will link two non-profit, community-oriented organizations in food security work to create a stronger and healthier west end. In order to create this community landmark, WEFC needs to raise the remaining funds through investments and fund-raising that will create a community food hub that we can be proud of.

Please join us in creating this place for food that will be a showcase for community food hubs across Canada.

“I’m truly excited about having a food co-op in the west end. I feel passionately about the importance of food security for the complex range of needs in Toronto’s west end. I believe the West End Food Co-op is capable of delivering this promise of good food and good times!”
Christina Zeidler, owner, Gladstone Hotel

We are looking for another $80,000 in bonds and donations to complete our initial budget (total $180,000) for store opening. We have raised over $100,000 already from the initial bond campaign, and received support from various organizations to help move this project forward.

The next fundraising event will be a Bike-a-thon to The Living City Farm at Kortright, farmed by Matchbox Garden & Seed Co. on Sunday, September 25.  Please begin to think about riding and organizing friends to sponsor you as a Rider to the minimum suggested goal of $500.  To get going right away register now.

We are offering community bonds at $500 each—they carry 2.5% interest, considerably better than a Canada Savings Bond, and have five and ten-year terms; interest begins to accrue after two years. We are able to accept a purchase of up to two bonds from each member per calendar year (the maximum limit is legislated by Ontario’s co-op legislation).

Donations will be key to ensuring our success in moving in; you can donate online to our educational programs, or meet us at the market or any Co-op event (our events are listed on the side-bar to the left of this article). Stay tuned for announcements of these events throughout the west end community over the next six months.

How to Help
You can write us at info@westendfood.coop, meet us at the farmers’ market or our other public events, or call us at 416-533-6363. You can sign-up to receive e-mail updates, join the co-op, buy some bonds, support us with a donation or all three.  You may wish to review our Food Close to Home campaign document (24 pages PDF) and our 2011 Bond Purchase form (2 pages, PDF).   You can sign up on the website to volunteer, keep track of upcoming events, and check out the archives for more on previous programs and events. We would like to see you, answer any questions, and welcome you to our West End Food Co-op!

The bottom line; It's your choice to Donate or Invest.