Great food in support of a great cause. That’s the simple but compelling premise behind Restaurants for Change, a new inaugural event rolling out for one night, this Wednesday, October 22 across Canada, and here in Toronto at 10 fantastic restaurants. At the media launch for the event, I got a behind the scenes look at how this exciting night came about.
Restaurants for Change, as an idea and initiative, seeks to raise awareness, build conversation, and raise much needed funds for a healthy and egalitarian food system in Canada. Did you know that almost a million Canadians used a food bank in 2013, more than a third of them children? Reports put the number of food insecure Canadians at almost 4 million. Rates of heart disease and other diet-related illness are at historic highs. And low-income people experience greater social isolation and feel a lower sense of community belonging than people with higher incomes.1 For all these crucial reasons and more, Community Food Centres Canada developed Restaurants for Change as part of their multi-pronged approach to build lasting, cooperative solutions in spite of incredible odds.
Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC for short), builds resources and initiates or organizes partner organizations across Canada to bring people from all backgrounds together to “grow, cook, share, and advocate for good food.” CFCC particularly seeks to empower low-income communities to build healthy, fair and sustainable food systems so that access to quality sustenance may be available to all. As I’m sure that you’re all as smitten with delicious, fresh food as I am (reading this blog and all, and also you know, being human), this is an opportunity to get your foodie fix, while having your dollars donated to an wonderful cause. CFCC believe that “good food can build community, enhance physical and mental health, and nurture the planet.” I don’t know about you, but this is a mission that I can get behind wholeheartedly.
So I have (as a start), with a reservation to dine on October 22nd and as a bonus, feel good knowing that my dollars are going to support this amazing program. Before spots fill up, make reservation too! These are the eateries donating all or part of the proceeds from their dinner service on October 22nd to the CFCC and local Community Food Centres across Canada: Bar Buca, Buca, Buca Osteria & Bar, Edulis, Jacob’s & Company Steakhouse, Richmond Station, Ruby Watchco, The Drake One Fifty, The Saint Tavern and THR+Co.
A special shoutout to The Saint Tavern on Ossington, one of the 9 Toronto restaurants participating, which graciously served as the media launch spot. They served up tasty miniature morsels of their standard menu fare, combining grass-fed, organic local meat with locally grown produce into delightful dishes, all of which was evident in the fresh and robust flavours that dazzled our tastebuds.
For more info or to make a reservation, visit www.restaurantsforchange.com. Check out CFCC on Twitter @placeforfood & tag your October 22nd Change-worthy dinner with #foodforgood.
Stephanie is an Executive Assistant by day and freelance Graphic Designer by night. Reach her at stephanie.penev@gmail.com, Twitter & Instagram
1All stats from CFCC: http://cfccanada.ca/
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