Every year, the Mustard Seed throws 85,000 lbs. of perishable food into the compost, having no use for it without the proper facilities to prepare meals.
Herowork, the local renovation company who works with charities and other non-profits is helping fix that problem, with plans to build a commercial kitchen and dignity market in a two-phase project beginning in June at Mustard SeedB次元官网网址檚 Viewfield Road facility.
B次元官网网址淭his is a huge build for a big and great organization,B次元官网网址� says Paul Latour, executive director and founder of Herowork.
The 4,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Esquimalt, where food rescued from grocery stores is distributed to 42,000 people per month through 60 community partners, will be renovated. The addition of commercial kitchen equipment, racking and improved counter surfaces will create a 450 sq. ft. processing space. Herowork will also provide a rebuild for the bathrooms and offices.
B次元官网网址淲e contacted professional chefs, engineers and architects to come up with a beautiful design,B次元官网网址� Latour explains.
New sewers and drains, commercial grade non-slip flooring and Plexiglas wall panelling are in the works, and a new six-burner stove, refrigeration equipment and convection oven are also coming. The changes will enable volunteers in the food rescue community kitchen to transform nearly half of the previous food waste into nutritious soups, stocks, and sauces.
Through this work, the kitchen will be able to process 40,000 lbs. of food per year, says Latour. The kitchen will also be used by other organizations as a base from which to run programs building on cooking skills and food literacy.
In October, phase two of the renovation will see the creation of The Dignity Market at the Queens Avenue location.
Some 5,000 people are served each month by the Mustard SeedB次元官网网址檚 food hamper program, and the market B次元官网网址� designed after a grocery store B次元官网网址� will enable them to shop for items they choose, reducing food waste, as well as shame and stigma.
B次元官网网址淏oth projects are different,B次元官网网址� Latour says. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 been some learning curves. But, this is the most value weB次元官网网址檝e achieved [in a project]. We estimate these renovations at about $900,000.B次元官网网址�
Herowork began excavations last weekend and volunteers are still welcome. Those skilled in trades like plumbing and carpentry are needed, as well as general help. The food distribution centre at Mustard Seed will remain in operation during the month-long renovation, slated to finish June 17.
B次元官网网址淥ur specialty is connecting their mission and vision with the infrastructure they need,B次元官网网址� says Latour.
