Taking Action
In 2023, Food First NL took direct action to advance the right to food in N.L. Our social enterprises, Food on the Move and the Western NL Food Hub, supported access to affordable, local, and cultural foods. We also continued working with food retailers and their communities to pilot projects that address their food needs. We also hired a full slate of Regional Food Animators who worked with communities to support local food action and added capacity to our outreach efforts.
Jump to:
Social Enterprises
Food on the Move
Food on the Move creates welcoming spaces for people to purchase affordable, good-quality fresh foods and access library services in St. John’s. The market style, rotating neighbourhood locations, and simple pricing scheme help to make shopping — and trying new things — easier for customers.
2023 marked our first full year of operation. We experimented with different approaches and market schedules to see what works. We deepened existing and developed new partnerships with organizations, growers, and businesses. We also had the opportunity to support Holy Heart of Mary High School with their salad bar, serving over 500 lunches! Looking to 2024, we’re focusing on planning and development with long-term sustainability in mind.
One of our lovely Food on the Move customers shared a favourite recipe with us after finding some inspiration in our vegetables.
Growing the program to seven pop-ups per month at six locations in St. John’s
Partnering with the MUN Student Union to host a regular pop-up at the University’s main campus
Moving into our first warehouse space which simplifies our operations
Working with eight local food producers to source 17% of our total food orders
2023 Project Highlights
“The convenience of it makes me buy more veggies. I hate going to the grocery store, so since you’re here I get more veggies. Often we get suggestions on things to try. Like, I don’t typically buy radishes, but here they look good and they’re so fresh so I bought them.”
Students and community members at MUNL keep our Food on the Move crew and Library on the Go bustling while we’re on campus.
Extending Our Gratitude
Our amazing hosts at Community Centres and Memorial University’s main campus, for helping to create the neighbourhood feel that’s so important
Our partners at the NL Public Library’s Library on the Go, who add so much to Food on the Move and our community
The eight local growers, who supplied produce throughout the year and connected our customers with delicious local food. A special shoutout to Lester’s Farm, who always directed us to great seasonal deals for our bulk purchases
Learn More
Profile on Food on the Move’s role in addressing student food insecurity
Food on the Move’s seasonal pop-up schedule, which updates biweekly
Western NL Food Hub
The Western NL Food Hub is a one-stop shop connecting customers and local food producers in Western Newfoundland through online ordering. We operate on a weekly schedule, where customers can order from Friday to Monday and pick up their orders on Thursday at the Food Hub or our partnering pick-up locations.
Following a pilot year in 2021, we relaunched last year with long-term sustainability in mind. The past few months have been a whirlwind. We hired a team of three staff, signed a lease at our beautiful new home, connected with producers and customers for our late-summer launch, and held a wicked kick-off event that featured local music and delicious food. Last year was all about figuring out our week-to-week operations and collaborating with our producers and customers. During 2024, we will continue to improve our processes while expanding our pick-up locations and doing our best to get local food on every plate.
Our Grand (Re)opening was a huge success. We had a fantastic time welcoming people into our new space!
2023 Project Highlights
Finding a new home for our Western NL Food Hub and hiring fantastic new staff
Kicking the season off with our community at our grand (re)opening on August 30th
Receiving tremendous support from our customers, with nearly 1200 orders placed over 21 weeks
Working with 23 amazing local producers and connecting with customers around the Western Region
“Everyone is SO nice/above and beyond! Someone carried out my groceries one day — not because I asked either! And I was having a rough day before — that small act of generosity turned my day around!”
Extending Our Gratitude
Isaac Consulting and Miranda Cobb CoCreative for supporting our strategic thinking and long-term planning
Annette, Josh, Sarah, and Ashton for laying the groundwork during 2021’s pilot project — a special shoutout to Annette George, the Food Hub’s former coordinator
Cape Breton Food Hub for sharing their wisdom and their ongoing support and guidance during our first year and beyond
Learn More
VOCM’s feature on the Food Hub’s late summer launch
NTV’s piece about our year-round operations and product availability
Working With Food Retailers
Great Things in Store
Great Things in Store is a partnership between Food First NL, food retailers, and communities across Newfoundland and Labrador to create retail solutions that improve food access for all. The project is an opportunity for food retailers to try something new and for us to learn from the unique insights that retailers have about food security in their communities.
2023 was a busy year for our staff and retail partners. We hosted in-person meetings and sent out surveys in the first half of the year. We heard from community members about their food access challenges, the changes they’d like to see, and what we needed to consider when creating a project that works for them. With that info in hand, we worked with our retailers to pilot a project and test their ideas. While they led the pilot project, we evaluated what worked, what didn’t, and why. In 2024, our pilot projects are ending, with some becoming permanent. We’re focusing on reporting what we learned and looking at ways to grow and evolve the project.
Our community meeting in Avondale hosted an engaged group chatting about their challenges and ideas on improving food access.
2023 Project Highlights
Hosting eight community meetings in Paradise, Avondale, Southern Harbour, Lethbridge, Burin Bay Arm, St. Anthony, Flowers Cove, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Co-designing and piloting six projects, including delivery services, distribution services, and in-store custom portioning
Working with retailers to learn the ins and outs of how they see/experience food security in their communities
“This project’s funding had an immediate impact on my small business. I used to pack vegetables, jams, and other products in the back of my small car. This project funding allowed me to buy a van. Now I can bring more product to Markets and have more capacity for deliveries”
Our community meetings wrapped up by presenting our retail partner a plaque to recognize their dedication. Thanks to Tina, Joe, Tom, Krista (pictured), Justin, and Kim for their work.
Extending Our Gratitude
Carla, our former Program Coordinator, for completing the framework that led us to a successful pilot phase
Our dedicated retail partners for all of their work (Tina, Joe, Tom, Krista, Justin, and Kim)
The community members who have shown interest in each pilot project and continued support
Learn More
Our conversation with CBC’s Anthony Germaine about the project’s goals.
Our CBC interview with our Happy Valley-Goose Bay retail partner, Tom
Supporting Local Food Action
Every year, Food First NL supports community food action across the province. Last year, we responded to nearly 200 outreach requests by community members and organizations. We answered questions, directed people to resources, and connected organizations and community groups. We also shared our expertise at more than 25 external webinars, conferences, community gatherings, and lunch-and-learns.
These numbers will grow in 2024, thanks to our new Regional Food Animators. These Animators are dedicated to supporting Food First NL’s programming around the province and community food action. They’re our boots on the ground around the province and are dedicated to working with communities.
