SVX is excited to announce the four Build Back Better Challenge winners that will receive personalized business support from SVX and industry partners to improve their resiliency.
In collaboration with LIFT Philanthropy Partners and with the support of County Coworking, the Build Back Better challenge will assist leading impact-driven organizations in Eastern Ontario to successfully emerge from this unique and challenging period. The challenge aims to improve the organization’s investment readiness, impact, and operations. This work is supported by the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund of the Government of Canada.
We have all experienced mass disruption to our lives and livelihoods over the past year. Food supply chains have also been disrupted, creating new demand for products, services and solutions. There is a greater need and opportunity for solutions related to building and maintaining sustainable, regenerative food systems.
We are delighted to be working with the following non-profits, each dedicated to building and strengthening food systems in their local or broader community:
County Food Hub, based in the heart of Prince Edward County, is a commercial kitchen servicing small-scale food operations, caterers, food truck proprietors, restaurants, not-for-profit food security organizations to PEC and the Bay of Quinte.
FNTI (previously First Nations Technical Institute) is a leader in indigenous post-secondary education, serving more than 112 indigenous communities across Ontario and Canada. FNTI provides unique educational experiences, rooted in indigenous knowledge to ensure the success and strength of their learners, families and communities. FNTI moves into the future with indigenous values vision and innovative approaches.
Groupe Convex, located in Prescott-Russell, provides work opportunity and skills development to people with intellectual disability. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, Groupe Convex offered work to 140 people through seven (7) social enterprises; today, they employ 80 people. Through its agriculture division, Groupe Convex is looking to expand and invest in a greenhouse operation through a new social enterprise called Harvester’s Baskets, in order to offer a more resilient and sustainable working environment.
Wolfe Island Commons, located on its namesake island, is the largest of the Thousand Islands at the head of the St. Lawrence. Their ongoing mission is to support the island through arts, culture, food security, and public space revitalization. Wolfe Island Commons will be taking the next step in their journey with the launch of their Farmers Market this Spring. By creating a venue for farmers, food producers, and artisans, their goal is to easily and reach their consumers.
The Build Back Better program team is incredibly excited to work with these inspiring community institutions that are building sustainable food systems. With high impact workshops and programming, we look forward to how these four organizations will develop during the duration of the program!
