Step by Step
How we began.
In 2016 a group of local citizens gathered in a local cafe to welcome in newly arrived Syrian women to experience hospitality Canadian Style. Soon the aroma of delicious food and happy chattering wafted over the kitchen. As the weeks wore on the trauma and strangeness of a new city melted away. A new community was building of Syrian families, neighbours and a host of interested people who saw the power and potential of this new experiment.
What came next...
Soon the community kitchen became an emerging social enterprise. A weekly pop-up sold 50 meals each week and was delivered to a growing group of dedicated customers. The revenues of the sales circled back to the now over 100 Syrian women who were involved. Catering requests poured in and it became evident that this new initiative had the potential to become a new model. A simple way to connect newcomers to both social and economic opportunities. Newcomer Kitchen was registered as a Not for Profit in October of 2016.
Since then...
Newcomer Kitchen expanded its reach to include all newcomer women and has developed a comprehensive food entrepreneurship training program. This initiative actively involves both public and private sectors in supporting the participants.
The program fosters a collaborative environment where women from diverse backgrounds connect, learn about the food industry, and familiarize themselves with their new home through active participation in events.
Additionally, with funding from the City of Toronto, we have launched a food incubator. This incubator offers sales avenues, advanced training, and mentorship for program participants who are motivated to establish their own businesses.