How CSRF helped the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre reach more people in need of nutritious food

During COVID-19, rates of food insecurity increased significantly in every part of Canada as people struggled with job losses, deepening poverty, and other socioeconomic challenges.

Even in the wake of the pandemic, food insecurity has persisted as a major issue — a reality experienced first-hand by Ottawa-based Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre’s (RRCRC), which faced unprecedented demand for its Good Food Box program in 2023.

Offering boxes packed with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables that are sold to individuals and families in need at below market price, the Good Food Box program provided 22.8 tons of produce to 2,000 Ottawa residents last year.

But with demand only continuing to grow, RRCRC recognized an urgent need to reach more community members by improving access to and integration of its three food programs. In addition to the Good Food Box program, the organization also runs Market Mobile, a low-cost grocery store on wheels that serves “food desert” communities where fresh food is not easy to find, and Social Harvest, which grows fresh produce to stock RRCRC’s emergency food bank. The emergency food bank is also supported by proceeds from sales of Good Food Boxes.

With support from the Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) through United Way East Ontario — a partner to RRCRC for nearly three decades — the organization has been able to adapt all three of its programs to be more nimble, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of its clients.

Over the past year, funding from CSRF has enabled RRCRC to complete the construction of an urban farm in the basement of the Rideau Community Hub — a major milestone that supports the success of the Social Harvest program and augments food supplies for both the Market Mobile program and RRCRC’s emergency food bank.

The organization has also been able to upgrade its Market Mobile truck and install air conditioning to enhance its service, and has created new digital systems to streamline food bank appointments and orders for the Market Mobile and Good Food Box programs.

In addition to these efforts, RRCRC has launched the construction of a kitchen space for food bank users as well as a meal program to bolster food bank services. The organization is now better able to reach people in the community who face barriers to accessing support, such as seniors who live alone, people with mobility challenges, and those without access to an internet connection or cell phone.

The funds have also made it possible for RRCRC to engage a consulting firm to identify the best long-term solutions for human resources and volunteer management systems to support its activities and expanded reach. As a result, the organization recently recruited three additional part-time staff members.

Faheem Khan, Program Officer for the Good Food Box program, says the impact of the funding received from CSRF has been significant — and will create long-lasting impact.

“Community services are always under resourced and underfunded, so when we have opportunities like the Community Services Recovery Fund, we really try to upgrade our infrastructure and get ourselves set up so that we are more sustainable at what we do,” he says.