Potluck works in collaboration with residents and community stakeholders to increase the availability, affordability, and choice of healthy food for residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Our programs and initiatives find opportunities to use food as a vehicle for community economic development.
Community Meals
We prepare and serve between 16,000 and 30,000 free, nutritious meals each year to nutritionally vulnerable residents, including residents of the Portland Hotel.
We provide on–the–job training in our kitchen and life skills support for residents with barriers to traditional employment. We employ approximately 45 people through our programs and catering business.
Our Knack program trains people with barriers to traditional employment in both the hard skills and soft skills required to get employed and stay employed. The curriculum and facilitator’s guides are available for download on the Knack website: www.knackworks.ca
Twice a year, Potluck publishes a food asset map for the Downtown Eastside, which helps residents navigate free meals and other food programs in the neighbourhood.
Thanks to the support of BCGEU, we distribute 1000 printed copies to individuals and service providers in the neighbourhood. We encourage service providers to download a copy here.
DTES Kitchen Tables Outreach Team
Our peer-led Outreach Team connects residents to resources in the neighbourhood, nutrition information, and the healthy food they want.
DTES Produce Market
Our Outreach Team staffs the DTES Produce Market, which sells local fruits and vegetables at affordable prices throughout our local growing season. In addition to the weekly market, we also set up shop at the Street Market monthly.
DTES Procurement Group
The Procurement Group leverages our collective buying power to purchase healthy foods for local food programs. Over 12 kitchens in the neighbourhood receive twice weekly deliveries.
Community Kitchens
We facilitate opportunities where neighbourhood residents prepare and enjoy a meal together while learning cooking and nutrition skills right in our kitchen.
Support our work!
Our catering business provides approximately 25% of the operating revenue to run our community programs. However, to sustain and grow our community impact, we require additional resources. Please consider lending your support.
