‘Social’ supermarkets’ or ‘solidarity stores’ are practiced all over the world! Social supermarkets are ventures where wholesale food is purchased and sold in spaces that mirror retail consumer environments– but hosted in a community space and delivered with the aim of keeping prices lower or competitive with traditional supermarkets. 

Social supermarkets are typically run by volunteers and community organization staff and operate in collaboration with local food producers or retailers to try and keep costs down. The intent is to generate some cost recovery through the sale of market goods for the organizations to maintain the existence of the social supermarket while providing opportunities for food access and social interaction in affordable, dignifying manners. 

The Rexdale Community Hub does not profit from sales in the market. The money you spend when purchasing food directly supports the existence of the market. The RCGM has been designed and developed by members of the Rexdale community and is supported by a range of community stakeholders and partners who help to ensure its long-term sustainability. 

A new way to increase food access and security in North Etobicoke. 

At Rexdale Community Hub we understand that the rising cost of living makes it more and more difficult for families in North Etobicoke to gain access to the food. RCGM is an on-going collaborative effort to increase food access and security in North Etobicoke. We opened our doors in May 2024 to bring fresh and nutritious food, right in the heart of your community!

During the turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic, RCH staff and local resident volunteers developed a crisis response to address the heightened impacts of food insecurity and coordinated an emergency food response. The team of RCH staff and resident volunteers worked in collaboration with partner agencies, local retailers and restaurants to procure food hampers and deliver prepared meals. 

But, many years before the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about food insecurity were long-standing. Many in the community were having conversations about alternative food initiatives in the neighbourhood. In a North Etobicoke Cluster blog post, a long-term resident and RCH volunteer highlighted that the idea of a Community Grocery Market was “initiated 8 years ago at a community table” which included stakeholders from the North Etobicoke Resident Council (NERC).  

After the initial waves of the pandemic, RCH revisited discussions about alternative food program models and re-engaged in consultations with local community members and began collaborating with local service providers, municipal health promoters and academic researchers to begin the process of developing a more sustainable strategy to address the impacts of food insecurity in the community. The collaborative energies came together to form what we now call the Food Action and Advisory Collaborative (FAAC). 

In addition to committed resident volunteers and core RCH staff, the Community Grocery Market has been supported by a number of organizations that make up the Food Action and Advisory Collaborative (FAAC), including: Albion/Islington BIA, Albion Neighbourhood Services, Braeburn Neighbourhood Place, Catch the Fire Church, City of Toronto, Delta Family Resource Centre, FoodShare, Grow Fitness, Humber College, Kasara, North Etobicoke Residents Council, North York Harvest, OCAD University, Ontario Food Terminal, PlazaPOPs, Province of Ontario, Rexdale Community Health Centre, Scott Mission, Seva Food Bank, Somali Women Development Centre, The University of Guelph, United Way, University of Toronto, Zawadi Farm

Rexdale Community Grocery Market currently offers a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables. Our priority is top quality produce! Our team at RCGM is happy to offer information for anyone looking to learn more about our products, try new recipes with RCGM produce, or to learn more about the market. 

RCGM is proud to partner with business owners in Rexdale to bring fresh produce to our shelves each week.

While some fruits and vegetables are available year-round, other stock is available only in-season. At RCGM we aim to offer a unique range of fresh produce that fits your cultural and nutritional needs.

At Rexdale Community Grocery Market we strive to keep our prices competitive with local grocers in Rexdale.

No, the Rexdale Community Grocery Market is a non-profit initiative. 

RCGM is a pilot project, initiated by Rexdale Community Hub and its partner agencies, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Guelph.  It has been supported by:

•  United Way Greater Toronto 
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Rexdale SNAP Urban Agriculture Initiative
• Funding support for research and development by MITACS

There are many ways to make a difference in your community through the RCGM! To get involved you can spread the word about the market with your friends and family, volunteer with us, or consider donating to the RCGM. 

Contact us at 416-741-3000 or email Russ@rexdalehub.org 

For volunteer opportunities, email warda@rexdalehub.org