Alicia Mancini
Special Collaboration
When we talk about serving a community, we must first start by identifying its needs. Figuring out where folks are struggling and how to best support them is the essence of a community center. Food security sits high on that list. Nothing could be more essential, more vital than knowing where your next meal is coming from. A task of this magnitude requires energy, innovation, and partnerships. Those three things are what have made Circuit alimentaire de Verdun a success.
Two years ago, BGC Dawson joined the Circuit alimentaire de Verdun, an ongoing initiative begun in 2019 by the Maison de l’environnement de Verdun and the city of Verdun. The idea was to collect unused food from local businesses, salvage what was useable to either make meals or redistribute it as is. It took about a year to build the network, but once everything was in place, the food started coming in by the tons. Over 46 tons of food have been saved since the project began, and that has fed over 1800 people. ‘’In terms of sustainability, it’s an amazing program. We saw a surge in need for food security during the pandemic, and this is a way to meet that need.’’ Says Roxanne Tisdall, food, and sustainability coordinator at BGC Dawson.
This labor of love is also a partnership that brings together both community organizations, local businesses, and institutions to form an extensive network of workers and volunteers. This vast and very successful collaboration is impressive and could serve as a blueprint for other neighborhoods interested in building similar initiatives.
There is a concern, however, about the future of this project. Allocated funds will soon dry up, and organizers are looking for solutions. ‘’This project has so much potential. Community organizations have come to depend on the food brought in by the Circuit Alimentaire and we need the funding to grow to meet the need. Our goal is to open a food distribution center in Verdun where we can continue the food recuperation work and expand to include a solidarity grocery store and even a solidarity café,’’ says Roxanne.
Combatting hunger and providing nutrient-rich meals to the community is essential; doing it with food that would go to waste otherwise is incredible.
If you are interested in learning more about the work being done and/or would like to become involved in the project’s future success you can contact the network at this address, circuitcourt.mev@nature-action.qc.ca
