About Us

Established in 1997 and registered as a charity in 2000, Nanaimo Foodshare Society works to increase resilience in Nanaimo’s local food system.  We increase food security  by empowering our community with better access, resources, skills, and knowledge.  We work on ancestral Coast Salish lands on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw people,  We cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment and work in collaboration with local government, other community groups, First Nations, and families.

Specifically, we:

  • Work with community partners to address hunger in the community
  • Build food skills
  • Bring the community together to share resources
  • Build community capacity to provide healthy foods to everyone.
  • Through our programs, we support local sustainable food, help build food policy and develop coordinated community strategies to improve food security.

 

Nanaimo Foodshare is proud to be a part of the Vancouver Island Food Hubs (VIFH) network—a partnership between Island Health and eight community agencies working to strengthen food security across the region. The Food Hubs collaborate to build just, sustainable food systems through education, advocacy, and community-driven programs. Together, we envision a region where everyone has access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food.

We are a registered charitable organization: 887234524 RR 0001

Our Vision

Our region has sustainable access to nourishing food and food knowledge.

Our Mission

 We empower community members with skills, tools, and access to local and nourishing food.

Values

2023 -24 Annual Report

  • Local Access

    Focus on food sovereignty in our region

  • Empowerment

    Hand-ups not hand-outs

  • Resilience

    Supporting sustainable access to food

  • Inclusivity

    Ensuring accessible and equitable access to food and food knowledge

  • Collaboration

    Working together to fill gaps and serve our region

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Meet Our Team

Paula Masyk

Executive Director

Lisa Guizzo

Finance Manager

Dave Ehrismann

Program Manager

Jennie Wharton

Education Manager

Calven Chow

Kitchen Manager

Sonja Semion

Grant Writer

Lola Mamedu

Employment Program Manager

Salek Shahriyar

Media Coordinator

Shauna Blair

Volunteer Coordinator

Jordan Matt

Good Food Box Program

Mary Polk

Education Facilitator

Board of Directors

Jenny Rutherford

Chair

Cem'i Vur

Director

Jen Holstein

Vice Chair

Stu Setch

Director

Blake McGuffie

Treasurer

Suzana Clemente

Director

Richard Allen

Secretary

Helen Lingham

Director

Interested in joining the board? Email info@nanaimofoodshare.ca for more info