The Good Food Impact is a Toronto non-profit organization whose goal is to increase access to nutritious and delicious meals for members of their community who may be experiencing food uncertainty. We spoke with Emma Wood, Founder and Executive Director of The Good Food Company to learn more about their organization, how we can help them and what channels we can find them.
Describe your charity/non-profit in a few sentences.
The Good Food Impact aims to alleviate food insecurity by increasing access and availability of nutritious meals. We do this by preparing meals into individually portioned containers that are sealed and labeled with reheating instructions and then freeze the meals. Meals are distributed to local organizations and can be accessed by anyone in need of a nutritious meal. We are 100% volunteer-run and a community-driven operation.
What problem does it aim to solve?
We aim to alleviate food insecurity through our meals. We address food insecurity and its root causes through our educational workshops designed for students.
When did you start/join it?
The initial idea sparked in November 2020, when COVID heightened the need for food resources in my community. We identified that our community did not have a meal program and began researching what a meal program could do for our community. We officially launched in July 2021 and have provided over 3300 meals for our community.
What made you want to get involved?
I felt like I had the knowledge and experience to create something impactful for my community. My interest and passion for food security rest on three beliefs: 1) In a world where we produce enough food to feed our population, no one should ever go hungry, 2) Food creates a meeting point for people, it’s an opportunity to connect, to express, to have a sense of belonging, and 3) Good food makes everyone a happier person.
What was the situation like when you started?
When we started, it was a huge learning opportunity. We piloted our model for 6 months to identify if it worked for our community and if our community needed this service. I was unaware of my community’s food insecurity level, but I thought a meal program would benefit that population.
How has it changed since?
We’re always adapting! We’ve become more efficient in the kitchen, our team has grown, and we’ve launched our Student Workshops.
What more needs to be done?
While preparing meals for our community is at the heart of the organization, we fully recognize that providing food will not solve food insecurity. Our goal with the Student Workshops is to teach youth about food security, its root causes, and the importance of eating good food.
How can our readers help?
I always say start local! See if there are volunteer opportunities at your local food bank or meal program. Learn about the root causes of food insecurity and what policies create barriers for those who are food insecure. Think about what good food does for your body, both physically and mentally.
Do you have any events coming up?
We launched our first charitable campaign alongside the Canadian Courage Project in June. Together, we’ve collaborated on a charitable tote bag line where 100% of the proceeds will go to support both organizations. We also commemorated our 1 year anniversary in July.
Where can we follow you?
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and check out our website.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity/non-profit that you love?
It’s tough to pick just one, so I’ll share my top 3: FoodShare Toronto, York Region Food Network, Neighbourhood Small Grants.
