Twelve local organizations have come together to form the PEC Food Collective, whose mission is to both raise awareness and broaden access to healthy food. 

Prince Edward County has the second highest food insecurity rate in the province, a fact obscured by its image as an agri-tourism destination. One-quarter of residents are food insecure, and the rate is only increasing. 

The collective was originally established in 2021 in response to the pandemic.

“Our local organizations wanted to come together to figure out how we could better service the community,” said volunteer Tara Wood, who brings communication and advocacy expertise. 

Members include Prince Edward Learning Center, Food to Share, PEC Fresh Good Food Market, and the Picton United Church Food Bank, as well as The County Foundation.

She notes that awareness is two-fold: it is about informing people who are struggling to afford food of where they can find support, and encouraging others to donate time or resources to strengthen food security. 

“Despite being known for our rich farmland, our thriving farmers’ markets, this vibrant culinary scene, behind this abundance many residents do struggle day-to-day to afford food.”

Tara Wood

“I think a lot of people assume, ‘I’m not impacted enough, I’m not hungry enough.’ There’s a lot of stigma and bias. We want everyone to know that if you need the support, the support is there,” she said. 

“On the flip side, for people who have the extra time and resources there’s so many amazing ways to give back.”

The Collective is raising awareness through a new Hunger Lives Here campaign, which launched in alignment with Hunger Action Month in September. 

“When I started getting to know our community members and working with the Wellington food bank I was shocked that one in four people in our community is going hungry,” Ms. Wood notes. 

“Despite being known for our rich farmland, our thriving farmers markets, this vibrant culinary scene, behind this abundance many residents do struggle day-to-day to afford food.”

The County Foundation has offered financial support for the relaunch of the PEC Food Collective. In October, the member organizations will vote on how it is spent. 

Possible initiatives include community dinners, children’s programming, and community pantries in areas with limited transportation. 

The ultimate goal is to eliminate food insecurity for all County residents. 

“We want to work ourselves out of a job,” Ms. Wood says.