The Fresh Food Market Pop-up’s are expanding! The markets were made possible in part thanks to a $193,100 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
This grant is helping Lionhearts Inc. cover staffing and marketing costs to expand their program. The initiative provides affordable produce and healthy foods to residents in Kingston and the surrounding area. It targets people with limited access to discount grocery stores, improving food availability for the community.
Lionhearts project lead Leslie Hanson says their markets offer second tiered support for employed people to restore independence, dignity and choice within tight budgets.
There are currently five pop-up markets in the area, one in Amherstview and four in Kingston.
Hanson shared a story that at a recent market, she had a customer burst into tears at the price of their groceries.
Markets feature many staple produce items like potatoes, onions, carrots, apples, bananas, bell peppers, cucumbers, and celery. Produce is purchased locally from Tony Deodato and Sons, while prepared goods are made by Lionhearts chefs in the kitchen of local non-profit Ongwanada.
In addition to support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the markets have also benefitted from Ontario wage incentives through the assistance of ACFOMI which previously allowed the markets to hire under-employed youth in the Kingston area. Lionhearts also acknowledges Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), a 2023 partner in the markets.
For more information on future markets, visit lionhearts.ca/popup.
Written by Emily Chatwood