Sharing & Communications Working Group
One of the strategies that emerged from our Sharing and Communications Platform Working Group has been to develop tools and spaces for better coordination, info sharing, and collaboration across food stakeholders. To that end, we launched a WhatsApp Community in June 2025. Through engagement in the various channels outlined below, our primary goal and hope is to support mutual aid, grassroots initiatives and non-profit organizations to connect, share resources and expertise, provide opportunities for collaboration, and support the community members they serve to find local food supports.
What We’ve Done So Far
The WhatsApp Community has the following channels dedicated to key aspects of food work in the Edmonton and area:
Access to Food - resources, food donations, culturally appropriate options, food rescue/diversion, #ISO, #Offers
Access to Space - looking for storage, event spaces, kitchen/cooking spaces, #ISOs, #Offers
Volunteer Needs - volunteer job postings, engagement, recruitment and appreciation events
Community Events & Campaigns - events and learning opportunities for mutual aid and non-profits to engage
Decision-making spaces - city council and other public engagement opportunities to lobby, advocate or inform elected and public sector officials
Funding Opportunities - grants and other collaborative opportunities for applying for funding
System Navigation/ Client Referral - for mutual aid/grassroots/non-profits to seek referrals for folks to culturally and geographically appropriate local supports and resources
Peer Support/Mental Health - training, events, and mental health resources for folks doing food work to utilize or engage in.
Growing & Urban Agriculture - space, growing tips, tool-sharing, #ISOs, yardshare, seedy sundays
What’s Next?
We continue to recruit volunteers to help monitor the platform and contribute content.
Please note this WhatsApp community is ONLY for service providers, non-profit and grassroots organizations to utilize; it is NOT for individual community members looking for food resources. For food access resources, please visit the Edmonton Food Asset Map.
Interested in joining the community or have content to share? Please email Jessica Kinsella at jessica@jhcentre.org.
