Food Inventory of Leeds, Grenville & Lanark
What is a Food Inventory?
The food inventory is a list of the food and nutrition-related programs, organizations and businesses in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. It includes all stages of the local food system, and addresses all visions of the Food Charter.
Growing & Gathering Food
Find links to community gardens, agriculture-related groups and businesses, seed exchange programs, gleaning projects, and resources and tools that provide supports for farming, growing food or gardening. Also included are community groups or individuals who grow food to donate.
- Community Gardens
Community gardens are shared garden plots that are typically divided into smaller subplots. Members of the community work together to grow their own vegetables, fruits, and flowers. These gardens are run by different community groups and may be found at non-profit housing complexes, municipal buildings, youth centers, schools, community health centers, and a variety of other locations.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- Community members can come together to grow, cook, share and enjoy food
- Agriculture
Agriculture refers to the practice, science and art of growing crops, raising livestock, and the preparation and selling of the resulting products. This includes horticultural-related activities and societies, nurseries and greenhouses, agriculture and industry-related statistics, and 4-H clubs.
Food Charter Statement
- Farmers and future farmers have access to land, education, mentoring, training and equipment
- Seed Exchange
Seed Exchanges, also known as Seedy Saturday/Seedy Sunday, are free events that allow gardeners to swap their seeds with each other.
Food Charter Statement
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- Community members can come together to grow, cook, share and enjoy food
- Resources & Tools
This category includes organizations and programs that offer support to farmers, gardeners and growers. It includes information, workshops, conferences, webinars and funding related to using seeds, growing, harvesting, preserving, livestock and food safety. Farmers and growers can also find ways to participate in networks to share learning experiences, or advocate on behalf of farm-related issues.
- CSA Farms
- Resources for CSA farming
- General Farm Organizations in Ontario:
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Agriculture, food production, research, new farmers, food safety, environment, funding, resources and more
- Sustain Ontario
- Provide networks, research, policy reports, farmer training, funding opportunities
- Phone: 613-824-7771
- Farm Management Canada
- Offer tools for beginning and young farmers, agri-tourism, farm management, peer advisory groups and scholarships
- Phone: 1-888-232-3262
- The Urban Gardener
- Resources for urban argiculture
- Phone: 604-223-4800
- CanadaGAP
- Offer a food safety program and certification
- Phone: 613-829-4711
- Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
- General food safety and food safety for gardening
- Just Food
- a local, non-profit, community-based organization that works on both rural and urban food and farming issues in Ottawa and the surrounding region
- Evergreen
- working to create cities that are livable, green and prosperous
- Phone: 416-596-1495 extension 495
- Additional Assets - Other Resources & Tools
Food Charter Statement
- Farmers and future farmers have access to land, education, mentoring, training and equipment
- Educational opportunities are supported within the community for all ages to learn how to grow, purchase, cook and preserve healthy foods
- Farmers, growers, consumers, community organizations, businesses, institutions and local governments work together to create a food system that promotes community resilience
- Gleaning
Gleaning is when food that wouldn't normally be eaten is harvested. This may include untended fruit on trees, food leftover in fields, or foods that would be thrown away because of appearance.
Food Charter Statement
- The production, processing, storage and distribution of locally-produced foods are prioritized
- Food waste is reduced and /or reused
- Food Donation
This category lists community-based groups that grow food to donate to local causes, such as food banks.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Healthy food is available wherever people live, work, learn and play
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Preparing & Eating Food
In this category, you will find links to programs that help build knowledge and skills for preparing food, locations to make food, and links for food preservation and storage (e.g., community kitchens, cooking classes, kitchen facilities to rent, Two Rivers Food Hub). Also included in this category are programs that involve eating food such as low/no cost meals, events that celebrate local food, Student Nutrition Programs and other food related programs in schools. Registered Dietitian Services, nutrition programs and grocery store tours are also listed here.
- Community Kitchens
A community kitchen is a public space where community members work together to prepare and eat meals. These kitchens allow for the sharing of food skills, social opportunities, and lowered meal costs. Community kitchens often bring together people with shared cooking needs (e.g., cooking for one, cooking for children, or cooking on a budget).
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- Community members can come together to grow, cook, share and enjoy food
- Cooking Classes & Food Skills
Develop the skills of food preparation, cooking, meal planning and budgeting with programs in this category. Cooking classes may be at community health centers, community kitchens, youth centers, 4-H Clubs, grocery stores or festivals. They may have specific focus, such as cooking for one, cooking for a specific condition like diabetes, cooking for young children or cooking with local foods.
Food Charter Statement
- Educational opportunities are supported within the community for all ages to learn how to grow, purchase, cook and preserve healthy foods
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- Grocery Store Tours
Grocery store tours, usually conducted by a Registered Dietitian, are held in individual or group sessions. These sessions offer information and skills on cooking, label reading, credible nutrition information, food systems, increasing fruit and vegetables intake, and successfully navigating the grocery store.
Food Charter Statement
- Educational opportunities are supported within the community for all ages to learn how to grow, purchase, cook and preserve healthy foods
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- Food in Schools
This section will be further updated in the future.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Healthy food is available wherever people live, work, learn and play
- Kitchen Facilities to Rent
These public facilities are found in local arenas, recreation centers and community centers. They are available for rent, at a cost, for individuals/organizations wishing to host and serve food to a group. The following is not a complete list of all kitchen facilities available for rent. Information about additional kitchen facilities can be obtained by contacting your local churches, community halls, recreation centers and other community facilities. We encourage you to only use kitchens that have been inspected by a Public Health Inspector. Details on how to obtain information on inspected facilities.
Food Charter Statement
- Community members can come together to grow, cook, share and enjoy food
- Registered Dietitian Services & Nutrition Programs
Registered Dietitians can provide services to individuals or groups. Usually housed at a health unit, family health team or community health center, these programs are designed to instruct and build skills related to healthy eating, workplace and school nutrition, and nutrition for certain conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol) or life stages (e.g., prenatal, infants, seniors). Nutrition programs also provide information on a wide variety of topics, but are not conducted by a Registered Dietitian. They may be held at a youth center, Ontario Early Years Centre, or by a wellness association.
Food Charter Statement
- People understand the connections between food choices, our environment and health
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- Dining Programs
Dining programs allow individuals to eat a nutritious meal in a social setting for a nominal cost. These programs are held by community organizations and transportation is often available to these events.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Community members can come together to grow, cook, share and enjoy food
- Community Meals
Community Meal programs provide individuals and families with a hot and nutritious meal free-of-charge. Everyone is welcome to attend these meals.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Community members can come together to grow, cook, share and enjoy food
- Celebrating Local Food
This category includes festivals and events that take place in the tri-county and showcase local foods.
Food Charter Statement
- Community members can come together to grow, cook, share and enjoy food
- We celebrate the historical, cultural and spiritual importance of food
- Healthy food is available wherever people live, work, learn and play
- Food Processing & Storage
This category includes both education on and facilities for processing, preserving and storing food. Also included are local food processors that use raw ingredients to make their own foods and food products, which are then sold at various retail outlets.
Food Charter Statement
- The production, processing, storage and distribution of locally-produced foods are prioritized
- More food is produced and consumed locally, thereby reducing transportation over long distances
- Educational opportunities are supported within the community for all ages to learn how to grow, purchase, cook and preserve healthy foods
- Food Safety
Food safety refers to conditions and practices that maintain the quality of food in order to prevent foodborne illnesses and contamination. These practices address all aspects of the food system, from production to consumption. This category includes resources, tools, programs, etc. that support food safety.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
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Buying Food
See the directories at Transition Brockville and Discover Leeds and Grenville for local food in Leeds & Grenville and visit Lanark Local Flavour for local food in Lanark County.
If you or someone you know is struggling financially to get food please check out the list of food banks and the community meal calendars.
There are many ways and places that food (local and non-local) can be bought. This category lists farmers’ markets, farm gate/on-farm sales,community shared agriculture programs, Good Food Box programs, grocery stores, buying clubs that purchase local foods, local food distributors, as well as restaurants, cafes and bakeries that use local foods.
- Farmers' Markets
Farmers’ Markets are places where the public can purchase local, fresh produce, meats, and prepared goods directly from farmers. These markets are usually held weekly in the summer, and are found in urban areas.
Food Charter Statement
- Farmers, growers, producers and all food workers have adequate incomes and safe work environments
- The production, processing, storage and distribution of locally-produced foods are prioritized
- More food is produced and consumed locally, thereby reducing transportation over long distances
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- More food is produced, processed, stored and consumed locally, thereby creating jobs and stimulating the economy
- Community Shared Agriculture
In Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) programs, community members enter into a purchasing agreement with local farmers at the start of each growing season. Farmers then grow food for a specific number of community members, who receive weekly food boxes of vegetables, and sometimes fruits, herbs, and meat, via delivery or pickup. This financial arrangement helps to fund some of the farms’ yearly operating costs.
Food Charter Statement
- Farmers, growers, producers and all food workers have adequate incomes and safe work environments
- The production, processing, storage and distribution of locally-produced foods are prioritized
- More food is produced and consumed locally, thereby reducing transportation over long distances
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- More food is produced, processed, stored and consumed locally, thereby creating jobs and stimulating the economy
- Farm Gate/On-Farm Sales
Farm Gate/On-Farm Sales allow the public to purchase local, fresh produce, meats, and prepared goods directly from farmers at the farm itself.
Food Charter Statement
- Farmers, growers, producers and all food workers have adequate incomes and safe work environments
- The production, processing, storage and distribution of locally-produced foods are prioritized
- More food is produced and consumed locally, thereby reducing transportation over long distances
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- More food is produced, processed, stored and consumed locally, thereby creating jobs and stimulating the economy
- Restaurants, Cafes & Bakeries Supporting Local Foods
This category includes local restaurants, cafes and bakeries that use locally grown or produced foods.
Food Charter Statement
- Farmers, growers, producers and all food workers have adequate incomes and safe work environments
- The production, processing, storage and distribution of locally-produced foods are prioritized
- More food is produced and consumed locally, thereby reducing transportation over long distances
- More food is produced, processed, stored and consumed locally, thereby creating jobs and stimulating the economy
- Groceries
This category includes some local food retailers in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties.
Food Charter Statement
- Farmers, growers, producers and all food workers have adequate incomes and safe work environments
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- Good Food Box
Good Food Box programs deliver a wide variety of healthy and local foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to participants at a fair price. These programs are run similar to buying clubs in which buying and coordination is centralized, and individuals pre-order their box and desired size.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Farmers, growers, producers and all food workers have adequate incomes and safe work environments
- The production, processing, storage and distribution of locally-produced foods are prioritized
- More food is produced and consumed locally, thereby reducing transportation over long distances
- There are increased opportunities to buy, grow or otherwise obtain healthy foods in rural and urban settings
- More food is produced, processed, stored and consumed locally, thereby creating jobs and stimulating the economy
Food Charter Statement
- More food is produced and consumed locally, thereby reducing transportation over long distances
- More food is produced, processed, stored and consumed locally, thereby creating jobs and stimulating the economy
- Food Distribution
Food distribution is when food is transported from one location to another, such as from a warehouse or manufacturer to a retailer. This category includes local businesses that deliver food to local retailers.
Food Charter Statement
- The production, processing, storage and distribution of locally-produced foods are prioritized
- More food is produced and consumed locally, thereby reducing transportation over long distances
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Help for Getting Food
This category includes groups and programs that help make food more affordable and accessible, like food banks and community meal programs. Also listed are groups that help people physically get food by delivering it to them or transporting them to meals.
- Food Banks
Food Banks provide individuals and families in need with temporary relief from hunger. Food Banks distribute food that has been donated by community members and organizations.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Food Delivery to You
Food Delivery programs are run by grocery stores or food banks and deliver food to individuals that are unable to access these services.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Healthy food is available wherever people live, work, learn and play
- Transportation to Meals
Transportation Services are community-run initiatives that help individuals with mobility limitations attend social events, including food-based events.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver nutritious meals at an affordable price to individuals who are unable to grocery shop and/or cook.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Healthy food is available wherever people live, work, learn and play
- Community Meals and Food
Community Meal programs provide individuals and families with a free, hot and nutritious meal. Everyone is welcome to attend these meals.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
- Community members can come together to grow, cook, share and enjoy food
- Advocacy
This category includes community-based groups that address food insecurity issues in their community and act to support food security.
Food Charter Statement
- Everyone has access to, and can afford, safe, healthy, personally-acceptable food
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Sustaining Our Future
This category includes groups that strive to improve and protect the environment. This includes any groups that focus on protecting and promoting land, water, animals, forestry.
- Environmental Groups
These groups work with communities to preserve, protect, promote and conserve land, bodies of water, animals, forestry, etc. Efforts may focus on a specific region such as the Rideau Canal, or they might address environmental sustainability in general.
Food Charter Statement
- Agriculture, land and natural environments are valued, protected and enhanced
- People understand the connections between food choices, our environment and health
- Ecosystems and biodiversity are valued, protected and enhanced
- Surface and underground water resources are safe, accessible and protected
- Farmers, growers, producers, processors and retailers use practices that maintain or enhance the environment
- Food waste is reduced and /or reused
- Composting
Composting is when organic waste breaks down naturally into a nutrient-rich soil, or compost. This nutrient-rich compost soil can then be used to fertilize gardens, agriculture and horticulture. This category includes services, products and resources related to composting.
Food Charter Statement
- Ecosystems and biodiversity are valued, protected and enhanced
- Farmers, growers, producers, processors and retailers use practices that maintain or enhance the environment (e.g. soil, air and water)
- Food waste is reduced and /or reused (e.g. composting)
Endorse the Food Charter
Everyone has the right to food. Everyone in our community should have the means to obtain healthy food and safe water. We believe farmers, growers, producers, individuals, community organizations, businesses, institutions and local governments should work together to create and support a strong and healthy food system for all.
