Situated in Revelstoke, British Columbia, the Community Connections Society supports individuals and families by offering accessible social services. The Neighborhood Kitchen, a project under the Society, repurposes excess food from local retailers and food banks into nutritious meals while also providing kitchen space for local food-related businesses to scale their operations.

Challenge:

Seeking to reduce dependence on grants and operate more like a business, The Neighborhood Kitchen joined the Investment Readiness Program (IRP) to develop a line of frozen meals and enhance its business operations.

Solution:

With guidance from the IRP-funded consultant, The Neighborhood Kitchen explored the development of a unique line of frozen meals called “Muffler pots,” designed to cater to the local winter market. This initiative not only aligns with their mission but also presents a scalable business opportunity.

Impact:

The IRP program facilitated the planning and launch of the new product line, allowing The Neighborhood Kitchen to receive positive feedback from local snowmobile gatherings and events. Furthermore, with the assistance of their consultant, they finalized their business plan and prepared a loan application for local financing, setting the stage for sustainable growth.

Call to Action:

Are you seeking to innovate your social enterprise and create a sustainable impact in your community? Common Good Solutions can provide the expertise and support needed to navigate complex challenges and seize new opportunities. Contact us today to explore how our consulting services can help your organization achieve its goals and drive meaningful change.

Established in 2013, RAIN aims to strengthen the agri-food sector in the Algoma region of Ontario. Originally a three-year pilot, RAIN has evolved into a unique enterprise offering technical assistance, funding for product development, and business services. Now part of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, RAIN recently merged with Harvest Algoma to directly address food insecurity in Northern Ontario.

Challenge:

Merging with another large company is a complex endeavor, but RAIN navigated it successfully with support from the Investment Readiness Program (IRP). The challenge was to develop a robust business case for the merger and sustain operations for Harvest Algoma while upgrading kitchen facilities.

Solution:

Participation in the IRP sessions provided valuable insights and perspectives crucial for developing the business case. IRP funding not only helped sustain operations for Harvest Algoma but also facilitated plans to upgrade kitchen facilities to support agri-food entrepreneurs.

 Impact:

Through the merger with Harvest Algoma, RAIN now directly addresses food insecurity by operating a large-scale food distribution center with a commercial kitchen and greenhouses. The IRP program also enhanced RAIN’s understanding of various social finance instruments, contributing to their successful fundraising efforts totaling over $1.2 million.

Call to Action:

Is your organization facing challenges in navigating mergers or addressing pressing social issues like food insecurity? Common Good Solutions can provide the support and expertise needed to navigate complex transitions and drive meaningful impact. Contact us today to learn how our consulting services can help your organization achieve its mission and create lasting change in your community.