What is Loving Spoonful?

Loving Spoonful is a community food organization in Kingston, ON.  Loving Spoonful works to achieve food security in Kingston, combating hunger and food waste.

What is food security?

“A situation in which all community residents obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes community self-reliance and social justice.”

- Hamm and Bellows 2003, Quoted in “In Every Community a Place for Food,” The Metcalfe Food Solutions report produced by the Stop Community Food Centre.

What does Loving Spoonful do?

Loving Spoonful reclaims surplus food from sources such as grocery stores, caterers, restaurants, hotels and farmers – food that would otherwise go to waste. With the help of volunteers we transport this food to local emergency meal providers, such as homeless shelters and hot meal programs.  We also work with other community food initiatives such as community gardens, grow-a-row campaigns, community kitchens and farmers markets.

Why?

Food reclamation makes sense, as the benefits of such a program are both social and environmental. The surplus food we collect is transported to those who need it most, thus feeding the hungry and not a landfill. By engaging people in community gardening, community kitchens, grow a row and farmers markets we are working to establish a local food system that is resilient and supportive of our most vulnerable members – those living on low incomes.

About the Name:

Originally the Cooperative Food Distribution Initiative, Loving Spoonful was chosen as a catchier moniker for the project. This name has a special resonance in Kingston. The late Zal Yanovsky, singer and lead guitarist of rock band “The Loving Spoonful” was a food activist and restaurant entrepreneur in Kingston. Loving Spoonful has the full support of the current owner and the management of Chez Piggy and Pan Chancho, who feel that Zal would have wholeheartedly supported such a project.

Who does Loving Spoonful work with?

We work in partnership with many local organizations, including OPIRG Kingston, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul’s Justice and Peace Office and the National Farmer’s Union Local 316. Their continued support ensures the success of our program.  To see a complete list of all our partners, including Food Donors, Funders, Individual and Organizational Sponsors, Community Partners, and Recipient Agencies, visit this page.

Contact Loving Spoonful here, and see Loving Spoonful in the media on this page.