Fresh Food. Stronger Communities. A Smarter Way Forward.

What does it take to make fresh, healthy food more accessible to everyone in our community? 

For Greater Fredericton Social Innovation, the answer goes beyond affordable groceries. It's about bringing people together, supporting local food networks, and building a program that can grow alongside the community it serves. 

Since 2014, its Community Food Smart program has helped individuals and families access fresh produce at a lower cost. By combining monthly orders and purchasing in bulk from farmers and wholesalers, the program passes savings directly to households. 

Today, more than 30 community partners help distribute over 1,300 produce bags every month, reaching seniors, newcomers, students, families, and neighbours across the Capital Region. 

And the best part? Everyone is welcome. 

During a recent visit, our team had the opportunity to see the program in action. By 8 a.m., volunteers were already unloading, sorting, weighing, and packing fresh produce, working together to prepare 355 food bags for distribution that morning. 

Behind every bag was a network of volunteers, community partners, and local suppliers working toward a shared purpose. Even the leftover produce and cardboard boxes found a new home through partnerships that help reduce waste. 

But what makes Community Food Smart particularly exciting is its vision for the future. 

For 11 years, the program has operated as a self-sustaining initiative. Now, with rising food costs and growing demand, the team is looking ahead: strengthening its coordination, modernizing ordering systems, and building new partnerships to reach even more households. 

That's exactly the kind of forward-thinking initiative we believe deserves an opportunity to grow. 

Community Food Smart was one of three finalists for our Game Changer Grant. Although it wasn't selected as the recipient, its innovative approach to food security caught our attention. 

We saw an opportunity to support an already successful initiative with the potential to make an even greater difference. Through Rosemary's Legacy Fund, we were able to provide funding to help the program take its next steps. 

Because sometimes, the right support at the right moment can help a good idea go even further. 

For us, community investment isn't just about responding to today's needs. It's about recognizing promising ideas, building relationships with local organizations, and supporting solutions that can grow alongside our community. 

And thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can continue investing in initiatives like Community Food Smart, where collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to community are creating opportunities for a healthier, more connected future.