Community Kitchens

Community Kitchens consist of a group of people who get together on a regular basis to cook healthy, low cost meals. Each kitchen is set up a little bit differently, to whatever best meets the needs of the participants. Groups may focus on basic food skills, while others may focus on a certain type of food or cooking technique. Kitchens can be based around the interests and needs of the group as well as food preferences or dietary restrictions.

Benefits of Community/Collective Kitchens:

• *Save time & money
• *Learn new recipes & try new foods
• *Gain new friendships
• *Learn & share skills
• *Eat healthier
• *Increase confidence in the kitchen

Community Kitchen workshops are a great way to learn skills that may seem a little intimidating to try on your own. Follow along with an experienced instructor as they teach you skills that you will be able to then use at home to feed your family and friends. You will be able to take home a portion of what you have prepared at the workshop.

Workshops are typically held on Saturdays. The average cost to participate in a workshop is $10/person.

Workshops:

• • - Water-bath canning of jams, chutneys, relish, pickles, salsa, etc.
  • - Counter-top fermenting
  • - Breadmaking

Make a plan to attend with friends for a fun and informative outing! Check our website homepage and Facebook page to find out when our next workshops are running and be sure to register early if you are interested in participating as space is limited.

CFCA COMMUNITY KITCHENS - THESE KITCHENS ARE OPEN TO ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY

Community Kitchens are held at the Root Cellar Food & Wellness Hub located at 440 Maple Avenue SE. Community Kitchens are open to anyone in the community. You can expect to prepare 2-3 recipes and food is taken home in containers that are brought by the participant. There is no cost to participate in this kitchen. Children ages 10+ are welcome to participate providing they are supervised by a parent or guardian and there is adequate space in the kitchen for additional participants from the same household. You must contact the kitchen leader to let them know you are planning on attending so that they have adequate ingredients for recipe preparation.

Stacy & Kelsey's Community Kitchen 
Dates & times: 6-8pm on the dates below
Contact: Stacy Bowery stacybowery38@gmail.com or Ph. (587)253-7854

Jocelyne & Jill's Community Kitchen
Dates & times: 4:30-6:30pm on the first Tuesday of each month.
Contact: Jocelyne Bouvier  joce.bouvier@gmail.com or Ph. (403)502-0986

Smoking Hot Cooks! Big Cook Kitchen
Dates & times: 2-3 Saturdays per year. There is a significant cost associated with this kitchen. For more information click through the link or contact the coordinator, Annie Anderson at annieanderson@telus.net

All of our Community Kitchens are graciously supported by the Root Cellar Food & Wellness Hub.

AGENCY LED KITCHENS - THESE KITCHENS ARE OPEN TO CLIENTS AND USERS OF THESE AGENCIES OR PROGRAMS

Redcliff Youth Centre Kitchen
The Redcliff Youth Centre offers various educational programs - the Kitchen Centre features a Dinner Program offered twice a week on Tuesday & Thursday, where youth are able to learn how to plan, prepare and facilitate a balanced, nutritious meal while enjoying it together. This space also offers a Hot Lunch program each Wednesday from 11:30am - 12:10pm.
Location: Redcliff Youth Centre - 19 Main Street S, Redcliff
Time: This program takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning at 4:30pm.
Contact: rasysocial@gmail.com or Ph. (403)548-2811

Miywasin Teen Kitchen
The Miywasin Teen Kitchen runs once every two months and is open to new members.
Location: Miywasin Centre - 517 3rd Street S.E.
Contact: Carol Syrette carolsyrette@gmail.com or Ph. (403)526-0756

Medicine Hat College Student Residence Kitchen
The student participants cook and share a meal and then divide the remaining food to take home. This kitchen is open to Medicine Hat College students living in residence.
Location: Medicine Hat College Community Room (in Golfview Residence)
Time: Twice a month (every other Tuesday) from 5pm-7pm during the academic year
Contact: Chaplain George – chaplain@mhc.ab.ca, Elsie – emakini@mhc.ab.ca, or Camellia – camellialawrence@mhc.ab.ca

Nurture Pregnancy Centre
Menu planning, budgeting and cooking are all covered in a community kitchen open to those who attend the Centre. This kitchen is open to Pregnancy & Family Support Centre registered participants. Childcare is provided for children ages 0-2.
Location: Medicine Hat Pregnancy & Family Support Centre - 321 6 Avenue SE
Time: 1-3pm first or second Wednesday of the month. Times and dates advertised on Nurture Facebook page.
Contact: info@nurturepregnancycentre.ca or Ph. (403)504-8560

Bridges Family Programs Kitchen
The participants take home multiple servings as well as having a chance to get to know one another better by having a sit-down lunch to enjoy the fruits of their labor. This kitchen is open to Bridges clients and registration is required.
Location: Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church - 476 4 Street SE
Time: Four times a year, times and dates advertised on Bridges Facebook page a few weeks prior.
Contact: Ph. (403)526-7473 for registration or more information

Unison at Veiner Centre Community Kitchen for Support
Have fun making making meals in a group setting and learn how to make your groceries go further.
Location: Strathcona Centre Kitchen - 1150 5 St SE
Contact: Nicole at nicoled@UnisonAlberta.com or Ph. (587)770-1420 for more information and registration

Saamis Immigration Services Cultural Kitchen
This kitchen is for newcomers to Canada and community volunteers, who are interested in sharing their cultural cuisine as well as learning to adapt their recipes to readily available Canadian produce. This kitchen is open to newcomers to Canada.
Location: Saamis Immigration Services - 659-3rd Street SE
Time: Call the number below to find out when the next kitchen is being held.
Contact: Aide Hilsendeger aide@saamisimmigration.ca or Ph. (403)504-1188 ext.105

Food First Culinary Experience - Root Cellar Food & Wellness Hub
The Food First Culinary Experience is a community kitchen program that teaches families the skills needed to prepare healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. It also addresses poverty with innovation and long-term solutions. 
Contact: The Food First Culinary Experience is open to all members of the community to apply, and can be done by filling in an application form at the Food Bank or by calling 403-528-4313 ext. 1.

If you have a love for cooking and want to share your passion with others we can help you start your own community kitchen! The focus, structure, timing, etc. is flexible. The Food Security Coordinator will help you get set up and be alongside you when you need help or have questions.

CFCA can help with:

• * Scheduling a time and booking the location (including insurance)
• * Help with advertising
• * Connect you with food safety training

We are always looking for volunteers willing to lead a kitchen or teach a skill! Please contact the Food Security Coordinator if you would like to participate in this way.

Alberta Health Services has compiled a Collective/Community Kitchen manual which can be used to start a new kitchen or run an existing kitchen.

If you are a Community Kitchen Leader, the following resources are available for you to borrow.  Please contact the Food Security Coordinator to arrange pick-up: Community Kitchen Recipe Books

Good and Cheap is a collection of recipes for people with limited incomes by Leanne Brown. Eat well on $4/day!

From Scratch is a vegetarian cookbook intended for people just becoming comfortable in their own kitchens also by Leanne Brown.