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Food Justice

Food Philosophy

Gordon Neighbourhood House uses food to nourish our community in a variety of ways, including the facilitation of intercultural exchange and dialogue, community capacity-building, and community development.

Principles

  • An understanding that food brings us together and can act as vehicle for community-building.
  • A recognition that all members of our community have a Right to Food based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, while also acknowledging that we as a community enjoy various levels of access to food.
  • A commitment to sharing fresh, non-expired, healthy, and locally-sourced food whenever possible.
  • A commitment to sharing food that is nutrient-dense, low in refined sugar and sodium, and not overly-processed.
  • A commitment to working toward increased access to food for those who are nutritionally vulnerable.
  • A commitment to providing opportunities for increased food literacy and community capacity-building for our neighbours.
  • A commitment to sharing foods that reflect the diversity of our community, city, country, and world.
  • An awareness of the impact that our food choices have on the environment.
  • A commitment to the reduction of our organizational ecological footprint by minimizing packaging and ongoing composting.
  • Support for the development of urban farms and healthy food cooperatives.

Current Programs

Frozen Meal Delivery

Let our talented Chefs do the cooking so you don’t have to! We are proud to prepare fresh, high-quality and nutritious meals to members of our community. All meals can be delivered or picked up at Gordon Neighbourhood House. Offered in partnership with the West End Seniors’ Network.

Eligibility

Available to seniors and people with disabilities in the West End.

Cost

$7.00/meal.

How to Enroll

This program has ended and is no longer available.

Community Lunch Program

Join us for a delicious home-cooked meal two days per week. Registration is required.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are often in need of volunteers to help prepare and serve the meals.  Please visit our Volunteer page to fill out an application, and please list your interest in this program.

How to Enroll

For more information or to reserve a spot, please call (604) 683-2554 or email welcome@gordonhouse.org.

Community Supper Program

This is one of those old-fashioned community meals for everyone to enjoy. Please enjoy our home-cooked, child-friendly meals and take the opportunity to connect with your neighbours. This is a great space for kids to play while parents can chat. Entertainment, live music and speakers periodically provided. Note – during pandemic restrictions meals will be available for pick-up in lieu of a gathering.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are often in need of volunteers to help prepare and serve the meals, and to help host a warm and inclusive environment. Please visit our Volunteer page to fill out an application, and please list your interest in this program.

How to Enroll

This program is currently suspended.

Children’s Breakfast Program

Get a strong start with a healthy breakfast five days per week. This program is offered as part of our Before-Care program.

How to Enroll

Please email welcome@gordonhouse.org.

Grocery Store Card Program

Gordon Neighbourhood House periodically distributes grocery store cards to support local food security during the pandemic or other difficult periods.

Eligibility

Self-identified need. Single parent households, Newcomers, Seniors, People with Disabilities and Indigenous households may be prioritized.

Cost

Free

How to Enroll

This program is currently not available.
We do not accept a waiting list for this program. Please email welcome@gordonhouse.org to stay informed about all food security initiatives.

Farmers’ Market Coupon Program

We love eating local! A limited number of Farmer’s Market coupons are available to community members for use in any BCAFM Farmer’s Market. Coupons can be used to purchase vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, dairy, cut herbs, meat, and fish. Please note that we regularly receive more applicants to this program than we have coupons, and so access is not guaranteed.

Eligibility

Self-identified need.

Cost

Free

How to Enroll

Please note that 2023 registration is now closed for this program. Please email welcome@gordonhouse.org to learn more about the Farmers’ Market Coupon program for next year (2024).

Cooking Together – Community Kitchens

Food was made for sharing! Our inclusive community kitchens are a wonderful place to prepare fresh, nutritious and culturally diverse meals with friends. We welcome community members interested in learning or in sharing their skills. The meal prepared will be enjoyed together.

Volunteer Opportunities

We welcome guest Chefs with diverse culinary backgrounds and who speak different languages to host Community Kitchens. Visit our Volunteer Page & fill out an application to get involved.

How to Enroll

Please email welcome@gordonhouse.org.

Indigenous Food Systems

We operate on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, which have long stewarded this territory to produce an abundance of nutritious food. Much of these food systems are being challenged by climate change, poor management of marine resources, development and industry. As part of our commitment to decolonization, we will be working to share education about local Indigenous Food Systems and what you can do to ensure the health and vitality of this place for generations to come.

Eligibility

Everyone

Cost

Free

How to Enroll

Please watch our Events page to stay up to date on future events and education initiatives.

Urban Gardening (Accessible plots available!)

Come get your hands dirty with us. Gordon House operates multiple volunteer-led urban garden plots across the West End. We grow everything from daikon to tomatoes, and all the produce is used for community benefit. We welcome urban gardeners of all ages and abilities, no green thumb required. Raised wheelchair accessible plots are available for our friends with limited mobility.

Volunteer Opportunities

We often need volunteers to maintain gardens through the year. Please visit our Volunteer Page to fill out an application, and indicate your interest in gardening.

How to Enroll

Please email welcome@gordonhouse.org.

Community Herb Box

Spice up your meals with fresh herbs at your doorstep. We operate multiple herb boxes across the West End and everyone is welcome to harvest some herbs. Please see our tips for sustainable harvesting.

Volunteer Opportunities

We often need volunteers to maintain Herb Boxes through the year. Please visit our Volunteer Page to fill out an application, and indicate your interest in gardening.

Mobile Produce Market

Check out our ‘Gordon Greens Mobile Produce Bike’ for affordable produce delivered across the West End.

Volunteer Opportunities

We often need volunteers to bike and operate the Mobile Produce Market across the West End. Please visit our Volunteer Page to fill out an application, and indicate your interest in this program.

How to Enroll

This program is currently not available.

Fresh Produce Box Program

Healthy boxes of produce via delivery or pick-up. Out of recipe ideas? Use your veggies through one of our online Community Kitchens!

Sponsorship Opportunities

We would welcome a sponsor to re-introduce this program. Please email welcome@gordonhouse.org.

How to Enroll

This program is currently not available.

Systems Change: Developing a Strengths-Based and Place-Based Approach to Food Security in the West End

Learn More

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