Our Mission

At Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society, our mission is to foster food security and empower individuals and families living on a limited income in Nanaimo. We provide access to affordable, nutritious food and help participants build essential cooking skills. By bringing people together to cook, learn, and share, we create a supportive community where knowledge is passed between generations. Through collaboration and connection, we nourish individuals, strengthen families, and support the health and well-being of our entire community.

Our Vision

Our vision is a healthier, more connected Nanaimo—one where cooking together strengthens social ties, promotes healthy eating, and builds confidence in the kitchen. We envision a community where everyone has access to nutritious food, and where preparing and sharing meals becomes a way to foster unity, reduce isolation, and build long-term food security.

Our History

Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society has been serving the community since 1991. The idea was sparked by Jeri Manley, then a Community Nutritionist in Nanaimo, who saw the success of Collective Kitchens in Montreal and wanted to bring that model to Vancouver Island. With support from fellow nutritionist Diane Norman and local service agencies, the first kitchens opened at the Salvation Army and Brechin United Church.

Since then, the organization has grown into a well-loved, volunteer-driven charity that continues to bring people together through food. One of our early successes, the cookbook 100 Meals for Under a Loonie Per Serving, gained national attention in Chatelaine magazine in 1996 and sold over 2,500 copies across Canada.

Community Kitchens offer more than meals—they are spaces where people connect, learn, and grow. Whether it’s new parents, adults with disabilities, or newcomers to Canada, many participants tell us the friendships and sense of belonging they gain are just as valuable as the meals they prepare.

We are deeply grateful for the community’s support and look forward to continued collaboration to promote healthy, affordable eating while fostering friendships, resilience, and self-confidence.