Beginning in 2022, working with a dedicated steering committee, The Table Community Food Centre Food has been laying the groundwork to grow its presence in Smiths Falls. This expansion is the heartfelt response to the request from the Smiths Falls Community for inclusive community food programming, and community-building. This exciting initiative is the Falls Food Hub.
At The Falls Food Hub, our goal is to do more than provide food; it is about sowing seeds of hope, knowledge, and equity.
We envision a community where every individual, regardless of their background, has access to the resources they need to thrive. Through our efforts, we aim to create spaces that not only feed the body but also nourish the soul, encouraging socialization and mutual support among community members.
Our story
How We Started
Building on the success of
The Table Community Food Centre
The Falls Food Hub is taking full advantage of the more than 10 years of successful programming and community building at The Table Community Food Centre. A partner site of Community Food Centers Canada, The Table offers a wide array of programs in the broad areas of food access, food skills and knowledge, and community engagement and advocacy. Throughout all the programs is an ethos of quality, care, inclusion, and social justice.
The Table has a skilled staff team that works with 120 volunteers to implement a wide diversity of programs including 3 community meals a week, a food bank, fresh food box, community gardens, community kitchens, child and youth programs, community navigation, and social justice education and action campaigns.
Eventually we plan to operate the Falls Food Hub in Smiths Falls, much as The Table operates in Perth. An important exception is that we won't be duplicating the operation of a food bank in Smiths Falls.
The Hub Team
Together, we’re more than a place for a meal – we’re a movement for good food and fairness for all.
Staff
Rob Rainer, Executive Director: rob@thetablecfc.org
Ashley Saunders, Operations: ashley@thetablecfc.org
Deryk Coutanche, Community Chef: deryk@thetablecfc.org
Theresa Welch, Finance Manager: finance@thetablecfc.org
Janet Sinclair, Volunteer & Community Events Coordinator: fallsfoodhub@thetablecfc.org
Falls Food Hub Advisory Committee
Cristina DiTomaso, Rideau Community Health Centre
Alison Kelford, Retired Physician / Volunteer at The Table Perth & SF
Lori Knox, Teacher, UCDSB
Melissa Lasalle, Nurse Practitioner–Led Clinic
Joanne Morin, Previous Member of ConnectWell CH
Shawn Pankow, Mayor of the Town of Smiths Falls
Rob Rainer, Executive Director of The Perth Table CFC
Ashley Saunders, Smiths Falls Food Hub Operations Manager
Janet Sinclair, Community Representative and Volunteer Coordinator
Claire Smith, Smiths Falls Rotary Club Member
The Table's Board of Members
Steven Welchner, Chair - boardchair@thetablecfc.org
Jean Dunning, Vice Chair
Carolyn Sinclair, Treasurer
Crystal Reinhard, Secretary
Board Members: Donna Bales, Sadie Brule, Veronica Felizardo, Paula Stewart, Prashanth Vankayalpati, Jeremy Wright
The Hub Team
Together, we’re more than a place for a meal – we’re a movement for good food and fairness for all.
Staff
Rob Rainer
Executive Director
Ashley Saunders
Operations
Deryk Coutanche
Community Chef
Theresa Welch
Finance Manager
Janet Sinclair
Volunteer & Community Events Coordinator
Falls Food Hub Advisory Committee
Cristina DiTomaso
Rideau Community Health Centre
Alison Kelford
Retired Physician / Volunteer at The Table Perth & SF
Lori Knox
Teacher, UCDSB
Melissa Lasalle
Nurse Practitioner–Led Clinic
Joanne Morin
Previous Member of ConnectWell CH
Shawn Pankow
Mayor of the Town of Smiths Falls
Rob Rainer
Executive Director of The Perth Table CFC
Ashley Saunders
Smiths Falls Food Hub Operations Manager
Claire Smith
Smiths Falls Rotary Club Member
Janet Sinclair
Community Representative and Volunteer Coordinator
The Table’s Board of Directors
Steven Welchner
Jean Dunning
Vice Chair
Carolyn Sinclair
Treasurer
Crystal Reinhard
Secretary
Board Members
Donna Bales, Sadie Brule, Veronica Felizardo, Paula Stewart, Prashanth Vankayalpati, Jeremy Wright
Join Us in Fighting Food Insecurity: Become a Sponsor
Our efforts are powered by the support of partners who align with our mission to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food. As a sponsor, your organization will be crucial in sustaining our programs such as the Good Food Bank, community meals, and advocacy efforts. Join us in expanding our reach and increasing our impact on more communities in need.
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Here is How You Can Help
We are thrilled to announce our new home at 41 Chambers Street, marking a milestone in our journey to better serve the community. We have secured an affordable 10-year lease, ensuring a stable and accessible base for our operations.
Our team has completed the architecture and engineering plans, and we have filed for a building permit. We are awaiting responses from local contractors, aiming for an early fall opening.
This new location will enable us to expand our services, increase capacity, and continue providing vital support to the Smiths Falls community. Thank you for your continued support during this exciting transition. Stay tuned for updates!
Organizations that Partner With Us
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Our Mission
Our Mission is to foster a healthier and more connected community. We do this by increasing access to healthy food, improving food skills and food literacy, advocating for individual well-being, and educating, engaging and advocating for social policies to address food insecurity and poverty.
