Nanaimo Community Kitchens promotes food security by offering accessible, hands-on cooking programs that build skills, share knowledge, foster friendships, and support confidence in the kitchen.
145
interactive cooking and gardening workshops held by our organization each year
1,300
participants attended our workshops each year
3,400
nourishing meals cooked and enjoyed through our programing this year
399
volunteer hours donated by board members, gardening volunteers and cooking workshop volunteers
Programs & Workshops Overview
Cooking Skills and Nutrition Workshops
We provide hands-on workshops that break down essential culinary skills in a way that actually feels approachable and fun.
Growing Healthy Families Cooking Club
An 8-week program that supports pregnant individuals and parents of young children to build confidence in cooking healthy, affordable meals while connecting with others in a supportive environment.
Youth Food Education
Interactive school and community-based programs empowering younger generations with food literacy, kitchen skills, and healthy habits.
Get Involved
Volunteer Roles
Nanaimo Community Kitchens is a volunteer-driven organization defined by the shared time and skills of our community members.
Cultivate & Cook
Help grow food for our cooking programs at Park Ave Farm. We have 4 rows of growing space for our programs. The farm is managed by Nanaimo Foodshare and owned by the City Of Nanaimo.
Events & Outreach
Informational support at community events helps share program details, run actvities for children and connect people with community resources.
Volunteer Requirments
- A minimum 3 month commitment
- Background safety clearance
- Initial orientation
Please email Heidi at: ed@nanamocommunitykitchens.org to find out more about our volunteer opportunities.
Cooking Education
Workshops focused on creative and affordable meals utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients are supported by site helpers.
School Settings
School-based workshops involve collaborative support between facilitators and site representatives for student engagement.
Growing Healthy Families Cooking Club
Supportive cooking sessions for families and expectant parents are supported by a program facilitator and volunteers who maintain an inclusive space.
Hands-On Education in Action
In our elementary school cooking workshops, students learn mise en place (everything in its place), basic knife skills, food safety, and how to think like a chef by building flavour with nutritious ingredients. They also clean and reset their workspace as an important part of the cooking process.