February 10, 2010
The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF) is pleased to announce that the West End Food Co-op of Toronto, ON has been selected as the first-ever recipient of funding from the Robert Owen-Henri Lasserre Fund.

Up to $30,000 will be awarded to the West End Food Co-op's Parkdale Processing Project. The West End Food Co-op's vision is for a thriving community food culture that has a positive impact and promotes a sustainable food system.

Administered by the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF), the West End Food Co-op's project will work in partnership with farmer members, the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) whose members are adults with mental health issues, as well as community members living with food insecurity. The Parkdale Processing Project will study the feasibility of operating a value-added food processing facility and also test a processing training program. This initiative will benefit low-income and marginalized people in Toronto's West End through job creation and skills development.

The Robert Owen Foundation was established in 1932 in Canada to encourage co-operative living. The original source of the funds was a donation from Swiss industrialist Henri Lasserre, intended to assist with the start-up and expansion of co-operatively owned businesses in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. In 2003, the Robert Owen Foundation and CDF signed an agreement to establish a long-term fund for co-operative development.

Applications were submitted from across Canada and represented a diverse group of new, exciting co-operative development projects. This is the first time that CDF is awarding a grant from the revenue generated by this endowment fund, in what will likely become a Canadian co-operative development funding opportunity every three to four years.
CONTACT

For general inquiries:
Kate Wetherow, Foundation Administrator
Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF)
Phone: 613 238-6711 ext. 226 Toll Free: 1-866-266-7677 Fax: 613-567-0658
Email: kate.wetherow@coopscanada.coop Website: www.cdfcanada.coop

CDF is the charitable arm of the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA). CCA is a national co-operative association which promotes, develops, and unites co-operatives and credit unions for the benefit of people in Canada and around the world.