Nourish East End (formerly known as the Glen Rhodes Foodbank) is a busy free food market in Toronto’s East End. Each week, we provide welcoming access to fresh, nutritious food for over 500 individuals in our community. We welcome our clients with an understanding that all human beings have the right to fresh, quality, and nutritious food in an environment where their dignity and choices are respected. We advocate for food security for all.
Nourish East End is an outreach program of East End United Regional Ministry, an affirming, faith-seeking, spiritual community dedicated to social justice and sustainability. Nourish East End reflects our congregation’s commitment to radical hospitality offering support and welcome to neighbours of all spiritual beliefs, races, backgrounds, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities.
In-Person Free Food MarketNourish East End opens its doors for an in-person free food market every Wednesday from 9:00am-11:30am and 2pm-4pm. We are located at 1470 Gerrard St E (one block west of Coxwell) and are near many transit stops (506 Streetcar and 22 Coxwell bus). Clients are able to shop from the selection of food we have available and can choose food items that work best for themselves and their families. Any resident of Toronto can access our free food market. You can register on-site during market hours with government I.D. (for self and household members), and proof of income; or online at Daily Bread’s portal. Once registered, clients only need to bring their Daily Bread registration # to the market.
Community DinnersSharing a meal brings people and communities together. Nourish East End has a long traditional of offering food and friendship through a regular monthly dinner that is open to ALL members of our community regardless of economic circumstances.
In the current moment, we are able to offer hot fresh food once a month takeout style. Join us the fourth Monday of each month from 5-6 PM. All welcome. One meal per person.
Our Next Community Dinner: Monday, March 27th, 2023
Community ClinicsWe are fortunate to partner with community organizations that hold clinics at Nourish East End. Clinics are hosted at 1470 Gerrard Street East, either on the premises or in a mobile clinic at the front doors. Our most recent clinic was held in collaboration with Anishnawbe Health Toronto. They graciously joined us during our Free Food Market on October 24th, 2022 and conducted free Covid-19 testing for anyone who was interested. We thank them for the valuable work they do!
Our next Community Clinic: Anishnawbe Health Mobile COVID-19 Testing Clinic – To Be Announced!
Nourish East End By The Numbers…
Our programs are made possible through the generous in-kind support of the Daily Bread, Second Harvest, Seaton’s Butcher, COBS Bread, Black Bird Bakery, Whole Food Market, The Black Pony, Victoria Whole Foods as well as Food Drives by businesses and community groups. Their generosity & compassion generate more than 350,000 lbs of food, worth more than $600,000, that is donated to Nourish East End every year. We also benefit greatly from grants & financial donations provided by Daily Bread, Second Harvest, The Meeting House and private individuals, both big and small.
FAQ
When you signup through the DailyBread portal, you will be asked to list all of the people who live in your household. Then, when you come to our free-food market, we will be able to give you the appropriate amount of food for yourself and those in your household. There is no maximum amount of people you can shop for, they only need to reside in the same household. If you would like to signup in-person on the day of our market, all that is needed is a form of Government ID for yourself & those in your home.
At this time, our hamper delivery program has been paused. Any future updates or changes to this program will be listed on our wesbite and social medias. We will continue to serve our clients through our in person free food market!
Our in-person free food market & commnity clinics currently take place on Wednesdays from 9-11:30AM & 2-4PM. To make sure we can service as many people as possble, clients are to choose between the morning OR afternoon slot to complete their shop.
Attendance at our in-person free food market varies from week to week. We advise to arrive at least 15 minutes befre our doors open, as there is normally a line along Gerrard Street. To ensure physical distancing, we have a 10 client capacity inside our market. This can sometimes impact the length of the line, however we appreciate your patience as we make our facility as safe as posssible.
