Food4Good is working to build a Community Food Centre to alleviate some of the food insecurity experienced in one of the cities most vulnerable areas – the west end of Edmonton. The neighbourhoods surrounding the Food Centre site experience higher than average levels of food insecurity and poverty. In this area, household incomes are 2.5 times less than city averages, residents depend on food charity resources 3.5 times more than city averages, and compared to other Edmonton neighbourhoods, this area has higher rates of chronic disease & mental health issues.

The Community Food Centre will provide nutrition and food sustainability information and training for community members. This will be experienced by users through interacting with programming staff, other community members, and the design and construction of the physical space.

The EcoCity Edmonton grant will support an ecologically minded retrofit of their current space. Funds from this grant will be used to retrofit the building with technology that assures climate resilience such as solar panels, water recovery systems, and indoor garden units for regular food production when other systems fail. Food4Good endeavours to produce a facility that is energy neutral and follows the standards required for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings. Following these standards will mean that the building has minimal greenhouse gas outputs.

Through the programs offered at the Food4Good Community Food Centre education will be provided to community members on how to be part of a more resilient, reliable and secure food system through urban agriculture, strategic and local oriented purchasing behaviour, and improving food preparation skills.