Regional Food Distribution Association in Thunder Bay, Ont., to expand facility, programming

The Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) is expanding its facility in Thunder Bay, Ont., while also expanding its focus to address food insecurity through hands-on learning.

The organization provides food to 37 partner organizations and 47 First Nations across northwestern Ontario.

Construction has begun on a 5,200-square-foot addition to its building, located at 570 Syndicate Ave S. on the south side of town.

"Some of it is sheer capacity, so the space we're in right now is going to be converted into a warehouse and it'll be where we sort and pack," said the RFDA's executive director, Volker Kromm.

The central component, however, is creating room for nutritional programming that promotes empowerment, self-determination and education, he said.

"Food literacy is such an important part. The social determinants of health that we could mitigate — some of the health issues, chronic food-related issues — if we teach people how to eat healthier, how to prepare food."

The addition will include:

• Dedicated hamper preparation room.
• Vegetable processing room.
• Wild game kitchen.
• Community teaching kitchen.
• Program spaces.
• Community meeting and ceremonial room.
• Technology and tools for web learning.
• Outdoor patio with a sacred fire area. 
• Regional art displays.

"We want to educate a lot of the different people on how to handle food, what to do with it, and have a healthier diet. That's a very important goal," said Bruno Niederer, chair of the capital fundraising campaign.

In all, the expansion will cost about $6.9 million. The RFDA has launched a Building Hope capital fundraising campaign, with a goal of raising $1.5 million in two years or less.

While he admits the timeline is ambitious, Kromm said he hopes to have the space completed by the end of the summer; there are plans to pour in the concrete next week.

'Our commitment to our members can't stop'

In 2023, an average family of four spent more than $1,200 a month on groceries – a more than 15 per cent increase over the previous year, according to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

A big part of the planned programming is helping people learn how to do more with less in the kitchen, said Kromm.

Niederer said he has faith in the community's support of the project and the organization's ability to meet its fundraising target.

"Thunder Bay always comes together for the ones which are in need and I feel very confident that not just the regular public but all the businesses in Thunder Bay will step up, and we will be able to achieve that goal in a short period of time," said Niederer.

There have already been significant contributions – half a million dollars each from the City of Thunder Bay and the Paterson Foundation — as well as money from the Shaw Family Foundation, Newmont, Tbaytel and others.

Beyond the facility expansion, Kromm said the RFDA has also partnered with the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board to eventually create satellite locations in the region.

Meanwhile, regular operations are continuing at the RFDA during the construction period.

"Our commitment to our members can't stop — so we still have to do the food, the cooking and the distribution while this is done," he said.

"I'm asking for generosity and for tolerance and for help because yes, on the operations, we need to keep going – and so that requires funding."