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Founded in 1991, Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society began with a simple idea: cooking together can strengthen both food security and community connection. Inspired by the Collective Kitchens model in Montreal, the program started in shared spaces at the Salvation Army and Brechin United Church. From the beginning, it brought people together to cook, learn, and support one another.

 

From those early days, the focus has always been about more than just food. It has been about building skills, sharing knowledge, and creating a space where people feel welcome and included. Participants learned how to prepare healthy, affordable meals while building confidence in the kitchen and forming connections with others in their community.

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Over time, what started as a small grassroots initiative has grown into a network of programs across Nanaimo. While the scale has changed, the core values have stayed the same.

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We continue to believe that everyone deserves access to nutritious food, practical cooking skills, and a sense of belonging. Today, our programs run in schools, community spaces, social housing, and with partner organizations throughout Nanaimo. We work with children, youth, families, and individuals facing a range of barriers, meeting people where they are and creating opportunities to learn and connect through food.

Whether it is a student learning knife skills for the first time, a parent gaining confidence in preparing meals for their family, or a group coming together to cook and share a meal, these moments matter.

At the heart of our work is the belief that food is a powerful tool for change. When people cook together, they are not only preparing meals, they are building relationships, strengthening community, and supporting long-term food security. What started in 1991 continues to grow, rooted in connection and focused on a healthier, more connected Nanaimo.