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Food Security Network

Share resources.
Explore solutions. Alleviate hunger.

The Food Security Network imagines innovative approaches to address the underlying causes of food insecurity.

Get involved

“This is not an issue for one sector to solve. It has to be a holistic, collaborative approach
to get this done.”

Hilda De Souza
Senior Director of People Engagement & Programs
Elmwood Community Resource Centre

Why it matters

More people than ever in our community are struggling to afford food. Food bank usage has increased 150% since 2019, and Harvest Manitoba currently serves over 100,000 people every month. A staggering 1 in 4 people accessing food resources has a job, and questions about where to find meals and pantry items are one of the top reasons Manitobans call 211.  

Food insecurity is a complex issue, and no single sector can solve it alone.

It takes a collective group of caring leaders with experience, knowledge, and ideas to create and test innovative, efficient, long-term solutions to alleviate hunger in our community. That’s the Food Security Network in action.

How it works

United Way Winnipeg’s work has always been rooted in collaboration across sectors: government, community-based organizations, the private sector, philanthropy, labour, youth and donors. Our experience working together gives United Way Winnipeg significant experience as the administrative host for collaborative efforts. The Food Security Network, established in 2021, is another successful example of this innovative approach. 
 
Using a collective impact approach, the Network brings organizations and individuals working to support people experiencing food insecurity together with partners in education, health, and government. 
 
The group meets regularly to determine focus areas based on challenges they’re seeing in the community and co-create innovative short-, medium-, and long-term solutions. These prototype projects are tested, and outcomes are evaluated, informing policy and decision making. 

Why it works

Everyone is at the table.

Leaders from business, education, health, government, 
and the community each bring their unique knowledge and perspective 
to the issue.

Collaboration = innovation.

Creating space to brainstorm, cooperate, and share inspires fresh and bold ideas. Support from visionary donors allows these innovative approaches to be tested and evaluated.

We're making a difference.

The Network has already supported several unique initiatives, including a food and van outreach program partnership, an affordable fruit and vegetable market, and a future supermarket-style food bank.

 “Acorn Family Place has been able to employ people on a regular basis through their food program to train people and prepare meals, while North End Women’s Centre (NEWC) has been able to take these meals into our community and support people who may be food insecure. 

We’ve been able to support two groups of people from both our agencies through this initiative.”

-NEWC Executive Director Cynthia Drebot

Thank you to our funding partners

We are grateful to our funding partners, who understand the significant impact we can make when we work united.

“When we have everybody together, we’re that much stronger going forward. We can all see everybody’s points of view and it’s easier to collaborate.”

Steve Peters
Thrive Community Support Circle

The Food Security Network

Acorn Family Place

Cal’s Crops

Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute

City of Winnipeg

Climate Change Connection

Direct Farm Manitoba

Elmwood Community Resource Centre

Family Dynamics

Food Matters Manitoba

The Forks North Portage Partnership

Harvest Manitoba

The Leftovers Foundation

Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre

Marlene Street Community Resource Centre

North End Women’s Centre

NorWest Co-op Community Health

Government of Manitoba

Sunshine House

Thrive Community Support Circle

West Central Women’s Resource Centre

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

Winnipeg School Division 

A collaborative approach inspires innovation 
and influences long-term, lasting social change.

We are proud to unite these diverse, experienced, and caring sectors, all dedicated to alleviating hunger in our community.

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