Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre

The Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre is a nonprofit organization located in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada. It operates as the first community food centre of its kind in the Canadian Arctic. The centre is registered as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency under the business registration number 810143925RR0001[5].

Mission and Objectives

Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre aims to improve access to nutritious food, promote food skills, and advocate for food sovereignty in Iqaluit and throughout Nunavut. The centre seeks to address the significant challenges related to food security in the region, where food costs are over double the national average and more than half of households experience food insecurity[1][3].

Programs and Activities

• Food Provision: The centre offers a hot meal to the public from Monday to Friday. On weekends, dinners are also available. This service provides essential nutrition while fostering community engagement[4].
• Cooking Classes: Qajuqturvik offers cooking classes, particularly for youth, focusing on traditional Inuit cuisine and incorporating local "country foods" like Arctic char, ring seal, narwhal, and polar bear[1][4].
• Community Building: It serves as a social hub, especially in the evenings, promoting community connections and learning opportunities outside the home and workplace[1].

Partnerships

Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre is a partner site of Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC), a national organization supporting the development of community food centres across Canada. This partnership provides core funding and program support to enhance the centre's initiatives and resources for the community[5].

Challenges and Impact

Nunavut faces unique food security challenges due to its remote location and high reliance on imported foods. Only a small portion of daily calorie intake comes from local country food, highlighting the need for initiatives like Qajuqturvik to promote food sovereignty and security[3]. The centre's work directly impacts hundreds of individuals in Iqaluit by providing access to nutritious meals, education, and community support[3].

By addressing these challenges through community engagement and education, Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre plays a vital role in strengthening health and food systems in Nunavut.