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Food Access and Community Care in Hintonburg

Exploring Food Access and Community Care in Hintonburg
The Rosemount Branch of the Somerset West Community Health Centre, where the Parkdale Food Centre is located.
The Rosemount Branch of the Somerset West Community Health Centre, where the Parkdale Food Centre is located.

Join us for a walk through Hintonburg that’s part storytelling, part snack break, and full of real talk about food, community, and care. Co-led by staff and youth from the Parkdale Food Centre, this walk explores how food insecurity, dignity, youth leadership, and everyday magic show up in our neighbourhood, and what it could mean to move from charity to justice. We’ll visit spaces that are part of a larger ecosystem of care: a community kitchen, a not-a-food-bank grocery program, and other spots where (y)our neighbours gather, share, and support one another. Along the way, we’ll reflect on what food access really means, not just calories or handouts, but connection, agency, and belonging. You might laugh, feel some feelings, and leave with a full heart (and maybe a snack).

We invite you to bring your own stories about food, community, or care to share with the group.

Location
Route

We’ll meet outside the Parkdale Food Centre at 30 Rosemount Ave (in the Rosemount Branch of the Somerset West Community Health Centre).

From there, we will walk generally west and north, toward Mino’Weesini, our community-run grocery program, at 5 Hamilton Ave between Armstrong and Spencer. The walk will cover approximately 1.5–2 km along sidewalks and paved paths, and will move at a relaxed, conversation-friendly pace. (We’re finalizing additional storytelling stops and community landmarks along the way, so the full route will be available in the next week or so.)

Please wear comfy shoes and dress for the weather.


The route is fully accessible and suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters. There are no stairs or unpaved sections. If you have specific accessibility needs or questions, feel free to reach out in advance, we’d love to help make sure you feel comfortable joining us.


You can get to the walk via OC Transpo routes #11, #14, and from Tunney’s Pasture Station. Limited free street parking is available nearby.

About the walk leader

Karin is a youth program facilitator, community builder, and passionate food lover, growing it, cooking it, and using it to spark connection and joy. At the Parkdale Food Centre, she supports youth and advocates for food as a basic human right!

Emilie is a facilitator, food lover, and storyteller who believes in the power of imagination both at the gaming table and in real life. At the Parkdale Food Centre, she helps create welcoming, nourishing spaces rooted in care, curiosity, and creativity!
Alissa is the Director of Operations at Parkdale Food Centre and a longtime community builder in Hintonburg. With a deep knowledge of the neighbourhood and a sharp eye for systems, she’s a process-oriented problem solver who brings creativity and care to everything she does.

Jayden grew up in Hintonburg and has been connected to Parkdale Food Centre since his early days at Connaught Public School. Now in Grade 12, he was part of last summer’s Solutionary Crew, bringing his experience, leadership, and heart to his community work.


Parkdale Food Centre website.

Guides:

Karin Freeman, Emilie Waters, Alissa Campbell, and Jayden Valz

When:
Date:Sun May 4, 2025
Time:1:15 PM
Duration: 1 hour
Language: English
Where:
Start:Parkdale Food Centre, 30 Rosemount Ave.
End:Mino’Weesini, 5 Hamilton Ave N.
Area:Hintonburg
Distance:1.5 kms
Accessibility:

The walk will follow city sidewalks and paved paths.

Walker Sign-up

This walk requires you to sign up to attend or join a waitlist if walk is full. Please submit your email and the number of walkers that will be attending with you below.

Gallery
The Rosemount Branch of the Somerset West Community Health Centre, where the Parkdale Food Centre is located. Parkdale Food Centre's Mino’Weesini Grocery Program location, 5 Hamilton Ave.
Volunteer to Marshal This Walk