The next stop was Fireweed Food Community Service Co‑operative Inc., where Ralf Sawatzky, Fireweed’s Market Coordinator, provided a tour and shared insights into the organization’s work. Established in 2016 as a multi‑stakeholder co-operative, Fireweed was created to address challenges within Manitoba’s food system, including supporting consumers in accessing food that reduces the overall ecological footprint.
In 2020, the co-operative launched the Fireweed Food Hub to help wholesale buyers source local products while enabling small producers to expand their market reach. The Food Hub also diverts surplus food from farms and the local farmers’ market to community organizations and food-insecure households through a hamper program.
In addition, Fireweed operates a mobile market, known as the “Veggie Van,” which brings local food to underserved communities in partnership with a range of organizations. During the pandemic, Fireweed Food Co-op was a recipient of the Community Services Recovery Fund to support its transition, and it also received funding through the Investment Readiness Program.
Read the rest at Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada
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