In 2005, a CFFF Coalition was formed to look at continued sustainable funding for CFFF and to explore the potential for expanding the Cooking Fun for Families program to more communities in the province. At present, no long term funding for such a roll out has been secured.
Current programs have been funded through grants and private donations in collaboration with schools, community centres, food banks, etc. Here are some examples of successful funding partnerships:
Carol White, Executive Director of KidSafe, says that there are several critical elements she attributes to the success of the Cooking Fun for Families program. CFFF programs functioning in the same school as a KidSafe school lunch program tend to have access to more resources, from funders and facilities, to pots and pans. Carol also says that having a committed kitchen coordinator with the right mix of passion, cooking and people skills is critical to getting a program off the ground, and keeping it going. Securing funding to retain kitchen coordinators goes a long way toward guaranteeing that a program will succeed. The mix of funders for her school programs range from individuals to corporations, but partnering with a high profile non-profit can raise the CFFF program’s profile and lead to more funding partners. School support from all levels is also critical to the longevity of the program. Buy in from the school board and committed school staff is also vital.
Ron Suzuki, Programmer at Strathcona Community Centre, says the Strathcona School’s Cooking Fun for Families program success is the result of total collaboration. He counts among the partners the school staff, school board, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Strathcona Business Improvement Association (BIA) and a host of corporate funders. He also credits the expert help of Community Nutritionist Barbara Crocker who helped lay a strong foundation for the program. Having the community centre and school on the same grounds means a sharing of resources. Ron and the program organizers view their work with the children as an extension of the school day. “The learning continues after 3 PM. There is total cooperation with the school. If a child has had a particularly rough day at school, their teacher will make sure to let us know, so we can try to improve that child’s day when they come to the after school program.” The program functions with a paid babysitter who engages the children in language and play activities, while their parents focus on the kitchen coordinator’s cooking lesson as translated into Cantonese by a school staff member.
The cooperation extends out into the community as well. Being actively involved in the BIA means that local businesses support the program. A local produce store will deliver the kitchen coordinator’s order, free of charge. Other businesses have developed volunteer placements for parents to get work experience and practice their language skills. “The BIA recognizes the value in supporting our programs which reduce crime, strengthen families and keep them living and shopping in this neighbourhood”.
The program has several long term corporate funders including Royal Bank of Canada and CIBC who have made a commitment to provide sustainable funding to the program. To answer the high level of need in this working poor neighbourhood, Strathcona just installed a new commercial kitchen, thanks to a $30 000 grant from the Steve Nash Foundation. Ron Suzuki says having sustainable funding sources are key, and that fundraising never stops. Suzuki says that funders want collaboration; members of the BIA sit on the community centre’s Board of Directors and CIBC staff come to visit the program. The school’s principal volunteers for weekend programs, and parent participants of the CFFF volunteer at the school’s breakfast program.
