Eat Local Grey Bruce provides local food to local people.
It’s that simple, essential, and beautiful. Throughout the pandemic, we took care of the health and safety of staff while getting food to community members, safely in their own homes. We were voted one of the top 100 recovery projects in Canada by Future of Good. Together with partner organizations, we provide a dignified source of healthy food for folks needing a hand up. With that in mind, it is with a very heavy heart that the board must inform you that Eat Local Grey Bruce is insolvent and the board is preparing to file for bankruptcy, unless we can raise the necessary funds, eater support and volunteer commitment.
How did we get here?
- From the outset, what we have attempted was radical and visionary – we wanted to create a local food system that was by and for the community, that tried to be fair, ecological and delicious.
- Explosive growth (100% in a single week) during the pandemic was extremely difficult for a small, dedicated group of board members and staff to manage.
- An unexpected warehouse relocation forced on the organization in April 2022 has increased operating costs and meant that last winter board and staff could not prepare for the post-pandemic reality.
- Sales have plummeted since spring, not just at Eat Local but across Ontario for local farmers.
Board and staff have worked for months to prevent this from happening. They have worked in good faith, to the best of their abilities and gone above and beyond the call of duty.
On Friday December 16, 2022, producers met to discuss what to do next. As a group, the producers have carried Eat Local since the start by accepting extended payment terms (3 months to a year) and now stand to lose a valuable distribution channel and a substantial amount of money. Unfortunately, the producers do not have the capacity to save the organization.
Can we save Eat Local?
Perhaps the only thing Eat Local has not done sufficiently is to engage with the broader community more effectively. We have been focused on helping the community, and must now ask the community to help us.
In order to save Eat Local Grey Bruce, we need three things:
1. We need cash. In order for a new board to move ahead and have a chance, we need $100,000. These funds will go towards paying off our most urgent debts so that we can comfortably open our doors again and work with a new board to ensure that ELGB can pay off all the producers what is owed to them and move into a business model that is once again profitable. This is a fixed funding campaign, so we will only be receiving the donations if we meet our fundraising goal.
2. We need you. We need passionate, skilled board members to take control of the organization. Our current board members are exhausted and burnt out from trying to manage these challenges, but we are fully ready to support a new board. We also need volunteers to support the work of the board through transformation, relaunching operations and strategic planning. If you are interested in getting involved, you can learn more at https://eatlocalgreybruce.ca/volunteer/
3. We need eater members to pledge to purchase regularly from Eat Local Grey Bruce. Your weekly support is what helps keep Eat Local going and we're not joking when we say that EVERY ORDER COUNTS! Your support is essential in allowing us to re-open our doors. If you're unable to give in any other way, please consider supporting ELGB going forward by pledging to continue regular orders as we move into 2023. Click here to take the pledge: https://eatlocalgreybruce.ca/pledge/
Over the past 7 years, many people have contributed their talents, perspectives, hard work, and money to building Eat Local Grey Bruce. Now, the community stands to lose all that has been built but there is also the opportunity for the community to step in and save an organization that is truly of the community, for the community. In the end, aren’t we best suited to taking care of each other -- our neighbours, families, and friends?
Please give what you can and please spread the word.
If you know of businesses and individuals that prospered during the pandemic, please forward this to them and invite them to be a hero for our community. Thank you for your generous support!
