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Our Journey
To understand who we are today, it’s important to reflect on how the East End Food Hub came to be — it’s a story of collaboration, innovation, and a very determined community.
Our Journey
To understand the East End Food Hub, it’s important to know where we started. Our journey began with the Neighbourhood Food Hub Initiative, a grassroots effort led by local leaders, Councillor Paula Fletcher, city officials, and community members, all determined to tackle food insecurity in Toronto’s East End. At the heart of this initiative was a vision: to create a dynamic community space centred on food security, local food systems, and community connection, housed at Glen Rhodes United Church, which was then hosting the weekly Glen Rhodes Food Bank but at risk of being sold by its owner, East End United Ministry.
In November 2016, City Council, with the leadership of Councillor Fletcher, directed the General Manager of Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration to explore partnerships that could support and expand local food programs. This was a pivotal moment in the effort to address food insecurity in the Coxwell-Gerrard area and foster stronger community ties.
By January 2018, City Council had initiated a feasibility study to develop a food hub in the area. Proposed by the Neighbourhood Food Project, which also operated the nearby Leslieville Farmers’ Market, and with support from FoodShare Toronto, the study aimed to design a sustainable, inclusive model that would not only provide emergency food services but also serve as a hub for community engagement, education, and food sustainability.
In May 2018, the City took the next step, authorizing the Executive Director of Social Development, Finance, and Administration to move forward with a Community Food Hub Feasibility Project. This project laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the East End Food Hub, with plans to address the community’s immediate food needs while promoting long-term resilience. With this strong support from the City, the Neighbourhood Food Hub Initiative formally took shape at Glen Rhodes Church (1470 Gerrard Street East).
A significant milestone occurred in November 2018, when the City allocated funds to Applegrove to hire the Neighbourhood Food Project (then known as Greenbelt Markets) and launch pilot programming. By June 2019, the hub was operational, providing critical services to the community.
Initially known as the “Neighbourhood Food Hub,” the project quickly became a cornerstone of the neighbourhood. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it provided emergency food assistance and expanded its programming to include workshops on urban gardening, culinary skills, food preservation, and hosting fresh food markets and CSAs with local farmers. These efforts not only aimed to alleviate food insecurity but to empower residents with the skills and knowledge to build a sustainable, community-based food system.
Recognizing the hub’s growing impact, City Council recommended ongoing operating funds to Applegrove to ensure the food hub’s sustainability and long-term success.
The Transition to the East End Food Hub
By 2024, the food hub had grown beyond its original phase, evolving into the East End Food Hub, a new name that reflected its broader vision and commitment to serving the entire community. This transition marked more than a rebranding—it was a significant milestone in the hub’s journey.
At this stage, a Governance Committee was formed, bringing together Applegrove, the Leslieville Farmers’ Market (which took a leading role in the hub’s operations), Nourish East End, and East End United Ministry. These partners, working closely together, helped steer the project in its next phase of development. The Leslieville Farmers’ Market, led by the Neighbourhood Food Project, shifted to take the front seat in driving the day-to-day operations, while each partner organization brought their unique strengths to governance and programming.
This collaboration between key stakeholders and the creation of a partnership framework to operate the building, solidified the East End Food Hub’s role as a vibrant, multifunctional community food-space, offering a wide range of services and programs.
Where We are Today
Today, the East End Food Hub stands as a vibrant and essential part of the community. It offers a broad array of services, including emergency food support, food skills training, and entrepreneurial support for local food businesses. It’s a space where neighbours come together to learn, share, and grow, fostering a deeper sense of connection and community well-being.
Looking forward, the East End Food Hub remains dedicated to its original mission while advancing a broader vision: a food hub in every neighbourhood, creating a Toronto where local food systems and community resilience are central to urban life.
