Co-op Cred Program – Moving towards the integration phase

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op Cred

We are moving to the next stage of the Co-op Cred program, an innovative community-based system of alternative exchange (i.e. a community currency model) that facilitates supportive work placement opportunities for Parkdale community members while also enabling them to receive and use “co-op credits” to purchase healthy food available at the West End Food Co-op. As we briefly reported back last year, the … Read More

The Co-op Cred program is GROWING

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op Cred

In 2013, we launched the successful pilot project of the Co-op Cred program with PARC Ambassadors Team. This year, we have been working toward the expansion and scale-up of the Co-op Cred program. In so doing, we aim to assess the viability of the Co-op Cred Program as a neighbourhood-based economic development tool. This expansion phase has continued to be … Read More

Co-op Cred Program featured in “Food Fighters” documentary

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op Cred

Co-op Cred Program is featured in a documentary “Food Fighters”! The documentary introduces various food security initiatives in Toronto. ___________________________________________ Date: Jun 26 (Thursday) Time: 6:30pm Location: Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor Street West) Details can be found here. ___________________________________________

Scaling up the Co-op Cred program

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op Cred

We are thrilled to announce great news to kick off the year 2014. We are awarded the grant from Metcalf Foundation to scale up the successful Co-op Cred program! The Co-op Cred program is an alternative community currency program that facilitates access to the health benefits of local, sustainable and nutritious food as well as supportive work experience opportunities for … Read More

Ride4RealFood 2013 on September 15

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op Cred

“The 3rd Annual Ride4RealFood is about biking for food security in the city” The co-op cred program is a community food security accessibility tool based on an alternative currency model that facilitates low-income people’s participation in the healthy and economic benefits of local, organic, and sustainable food at the West End Food Co-op. The West End Food Co-op and PARC … Read More

Parkdale Community Food Market gets insideToronto

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op Cred, General, South Parkdale MarketLeave a Comment

Round two of the Parkdale Community Food Market is underway and we are ecstatic! Though the nuts and bolts are still being finalized we couldn’t help but share some of the great support and attention this project is receiving. Parkdale Food Network member and Parkdale villager reporter Erin Hatfield wrote a great piece – link below- on the work the PFN is … Read More

Report back from June 26 PFN meeting

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op Cred, Community Food Flow, Parkdale Food NetworkLeave a Comment

The Parkdale Food Network held its third meeting on June 26 2013 at the Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre and brought together over 30 participants from a wide range of  collaborators from local social service agencies, city staff, housing providers, and community members. The PFN meeting was convened as an opportunity for collective reflection on the PFN’s efforts for the past year … Read More

PARC Co-op Cred program updates

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op CredLeave a Comment

It has been two months since the PARC Co-op cred program began in partnership with the West End Food Coop (see the orientation session facilitated by the WEFC). Currently, PARC Ambassadors are taking part in the program at two sites: WEFC co-op store and Greenest City’s community garden. At the WEFC site, 5 PARC Ambassadors work as kitchen staff, produce staff … Read More

Co-op Cred program in action!

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op CredLeave a Comment

Co-op cred program is a community food security accessibility tool based on an alternative currency model that facilitates low-income people’s participation in the healthy and economic benefits of local, organic, and sustainable food. Community members engage in volunteer activities at community organizations like West End Food Co-op and Greenest City and receive co-op creds in return while also enabling them … Read More

WEFC Alternative Currency project

Parkdale People's EconomyCo-op CredLeave a Comment

Since its official start of Parkdale People’s Economy project, this blog has somehow focused on the CLT initiative and various activities undertaken by Parkdale Food Network. The other strand of the PPE key activities is building alternative medium of exchange (such as alternative/local currencies). This initiative is led by the West End Food Co-op. Local currencies gives a platform for … Read More