Latest news with #anti-hunger
CTV News
24-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins plans to buy a hydroponic farm
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins says it is in the process of taking over ownership of a hydroponic farm. Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins (ACT) is in the process of taking over ownership of a hydroponic farm. Although the plan is in an early stage, the not-for-profit organization is working with a consulting company to ensure a successful outcome. Hunger farm2 Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins plans to eventually purchase Borealis Fresh Farms. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario) The organization hosted a drop-in session Tuesday for anyone who wanted to learn more about this new development. For the past couple of years, the group has been working and learning from Marc Rodrigue, owner of Borealis Fresh Farms. ACT is working with the Community Company, a consulting firm out of Kitchener, to come up with a plan to buy the farm. Officials said it's a multi-year project and the vision is ambitious. 'We're hoping to create some part-time jobs out of it so that we can interact with maybe some more vulnerable community members to be able to work in the farms, earn a little bit of income and be around the beautiful plants and, you know, be around a little bit better mental health as they're transitioning into possibly full-time work somewhere,' said Kelsey MacDonnell, executive director of Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins. 'This is a community-led effort and people with expertise in this space people with time, with energy,' added Justin Chan, executive director of the Community Company. Hunger farming Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins plans to eventually purchase Borealis Fresh Farms. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario) 'We really want to build this together. You know, this is Step 1 in, really, a multi-year journey to building a hydroponic farm that can support our community. So we're really looking forward to having conversations with people who are excited about this.' So far, ACT has purchased some growing equipment within Borealis Fresh Farms and is already producing basil and lettuce that it's selling at its public markets. 'Our markets are open to everybody,' said MacDonnell. 'Same with our good food boxes. They're open for anybody to purchase. We hope through community support of anybody in the community, we can then offer some subsidized help for people who are lower income. But if we don't have other people coming to the market to help support the market, then we're not able to do that sort of initiative for more lower-income individuals.' Officials said the farm project is an opportunity for people to encourage and promote food security in the community by ensuring everyone has access to affordable health food.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins opens new teaching kitchen
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins officially opened its industrial kitchen Monday, where it will make meals for the unhoused. Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins officially opened its industrial kitchen Monday. The space is outfitted with commercial-grade appliances as the organization plans to build a community by bringing people together to cook meals. Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins gave community leaders a tour Monday of its new industrial kitchen with commercial-grade appliances. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News) 'I think being in a group of people who all want to learn a similar skill can be very uplifting,' said Kelsey MacDonnell, the coalition's executive director. 'So creating that community environment, as well as a safe space to make mistakes and be able to learn from them.' The organization has a big vision for its new kitchen, which is located in the Rick Young Centre. Anti hunger Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins gave community leaders a tour Monday of its new industrial kitchen with commercial-grade appliances. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News) 'I've never made pizza before' 'So we want to be able to … hit a targeted demographic and be able to work through a series with them,' MacDonnell said. 'But we also want to leave it open for an individual to come through the doors and say, 'I've never made pizza before'… great, we can pop up a dough-making workshop.' Karandeep Kaur, a placement student who's currently learning at the coalition, said they prepare meals for the unhoused community. 'Or the people who are in need or those who are suffering from hunger,' Kaur said. 'Every Wednesday morning, we do have a pilot breakfast program, and we do give them food that we make muffins in the kitchen -- and even I learned how to make muffins.' The Ontario Trillium Foundation saw the potential for the kitchen when it awarded more than $170,000 to the coalition in Timmins to make it happen. 'Well, I mean, they were competing with (a lot of) other projects across the province, and they're all worthwhile, but it was such a great need,' said Steve Kidd of the Ontario Trillium Foundation's grant review team. 'It was all a function of overcoming the pandemic and like most not-for-profits, they were in a situation where they really needed funding, and they came back with a very good business plan.' MacDonnell said the kitchen is also available to rent and details are available on the Anti-Hunger Coalition's website.
