We call it a network for a reason.
As our name suggests, Georgian Bay Food Network is not just about the region we serve, but the relationships we forge to sustain it. We collaborate closely with a wide range of charities, not-for-profit organizations and community agencies who share our values and goals. By working together, we can more fully support the people who need our assistance and guidance, each of us complementing the others’ efforts by contributing what we do best.
Here just some of the organizations we partner with:
Askennonia Senior Centre
CHIGAMIK Community Health Centre
CLH Developmental Support Services
EarlyON Child and Family Centre — Simcoe North
Georgian Bay Métis Council
Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
Rotary Clubs of Midland and Penetanguishene
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 80 (Midland)
Simcoe County District School Board
United Way Simcoe Muskoka
We contribute to the local economy.
GBFN supports local businesses and farms through our food purchasing partnerships. Wherever possible, we work with suppliers and service providers in the area. So the money we receive from donors stays in our community. More broadly, by working to make a difference in thousands of people’s lives — and by promoting education and awareness to reduce the stigma around food insecurity — we help to build a more cohesive and resilient community, and to foster social and economic well-being.
We’re committed to financial sustainability.
Our purpose at GBFN is to help build a strong, inclusive community — but we also know that achieving that aim requires operating efficiency and the prudent allocation of capital. The reality we face every day is that food insecurity is unfortunately going to be a fact of life in this region for some time. That means we have to be disciplined in our decision-making around food selection, ensuring accessibility, arranging storage space and other factors. We’re constantly seeking the right balance between keeping pace with growing demand and securing the necessary amount and mix of funding — between meeting vital human needs and investing responsibly for the long term.
We’re keenly aware of the challenges faced by other community organizations that have tried to tackle this problem. Shifting demographics and rapid economic change are constantly testing the effectiveness of forward planning. We’ve been encouraged to find that by pursuing effective food rescue strategies with area retailers — and, of course, building support from generous donors — we can deliver our services at a comparatively low cost per household. Going forward, we will continue evaluating and fine-tuning our business model to ensure GBFN remains sustainable for the people who count on us to sustain their own hopes for the future.
Community Advisory Committee
Georgian Bay Food Network has created a Community Advisory Committee to provide insights and perspectives from the communities we serve. Committee members, who meet at least twice a year, proactively advise GBFN’s Executive Director on current and emerging priorities in addressing food insecurity, as well as broader social issues affecting our region. The Committee also serves as a sounding board, providing feedback and counsel on proposed GBFN initiatives. Members serve on a volunteer basis at the invitation of the Executive Director.