I Can for Kids joins cross-Canada network that uses healthy food as a tool for social change
I Can for Kids Foundation organization is thrilled to announce it has joined Community Food Centres Canada’s Good Food Organizations (GFO) network.
I Can for Kids is one of 147 organizations joining the network in 2021, bringing the total to more than 300 across Canada and beyond.
Good Food Organizations are diverse—they include health centres, food banks, community gardening organizations, and children’s food skills and nutrition programs. Organizations join the network based on a set of shared “good food principles,” which speak to their commitment to develop grassroots food programs that support dignity and health for people living on low incomes. CFCC provides resources to support this development, such as training, manuals, grants, and knowledge sharing opportunities.
When an organization joins the GFO network, they add their voice to a broad national movement fighting for action on poverty—the underlying root cause of food insecurity. This means more organizations calling for progressive income policies and social programs that ensure people can live with dignity, health, and choice.
“I Can for Kids is proud to be part of a growing community of Good Food Organizations who recognize there are better, healthier and more dignified ways to support those impacted by food insecurity,” says Bobbi Turko, Executive Director and Co-founder of I Can for Kids. “It’s time for change and together we can move the needle on poverty reduction to help vulnerable people and communities thrive.”
During the pandemic, the network has focused on supporting communities to access healthy food and connect with each other safely. Kathryn Scharf, Chief Programs Officer at Community Food Centres Canada, explains:
“For the better part of a year, our partners have worked flat-out trying to meet the basic need for food in their communities. We hope to soon get back to the heart of our work—bringing people together to grow, cook, share, and advocate for good food. At the same time, the pandemic has brought a new sense of urgency for us to work together to truly address poverty. This requires policies that ensure all Canadians have enough income to meet their basic needs.”
Quick facts about the 2021 GFO network
- 147 new organizations joined the network this year—the biggest increase ever—bringing the total to 300+
- 12 provinces and territories represented
- 142 organizations are led by or primarily serve BIPOC community members
- Find out more: https://cfccanada.ca/en/Our-Work/Good-Food-Organizations
About I Can for Kids
I Can for Kids Foundation is a Calgary-based charitable organization whose mission is to receive food insecurity in children and youth in Calgary. Find out more at www.icanforkids.ca
Media contact: Bobbi Turko, I Can for Kids Foundation, bobbi@icanforkids.ca
About Community Food Centres Canada
The Good Food Organizations program is offered by Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC). Since 2012, Community Food Centres Canada has been working with partners to build and support vibrant places in low-income communities that build health, belonging, and social justice through the power of food. Find out more at www.cfccanada.ca.
Media contact: Kennedy Sherwood, Community Food Centres Canada, kennedy@cfccanada.ca
