Media Release — July 8, 2025
Over the next three years, the Northpine Foundation will invest up to $2,035,000 in Food First NL to support a scale-up of their social enterprises and help put local food on thousands more plates across Newfoundland and Labrador. The investment will come in stages as Food First NL reaches various milestones for growth and sustainability. It builds on strong outcomes from the Northpine Foundation’s initial investment of $900,000 to support the launch and operation of the Western NL Food Hub from 2022 to 2024.
The scale-up has already begun. Last week, Food First NL launched a new partnership with People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre to serve communities in the Stephenville/Port au Port region.
Next on the menu is the launch of Food First NL’s third social enterprise, the Avalon Food Hub. Beginning this fall, this program will connect local food producers and vendors with customers around the region through an online store and a logistics operation. The Avalon Food Hub will be based in the new community food space at 77 Charter Avenue in the Pleasantville Neighbourhood of St. John’s. It will leverage the experience and logistics infrastructure of Food First NL’s successful Western NL Food Hub.
The Avalon Food Hub is the next step in Food First NL’s multi-year social enterprise plan to reach new regions.
“Looking ahead,” says Food First NL CEO Josh Smee, “Food First NL expects to serve even more communities across the province. We look forward to providing pathways for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians facing food insecurity to better be able to share the joy and dignity of eating local. The Northpine Foundation has been a longtime partner in this work and we’re so excited to take these next steps together.”
“Newfoundland and Labrador faces some of the most severe food insecurity in Canada, especially in rural and remote communities. This investment addresses that challenge by building the infrastructure for a food system that is sustainable and inclusive. Food First NL’s model connects local producers with the people and communities who need their food most. It’s a scalable solution that strengthens livelihoods, opens new markets, and reduces environmental impact through innovations like carbon tracking and zero-emissions transport. Together, we’re helping build a future where local food is accessible, affordable, and a driver of resilience across the province.” - Mark Lane, Impact Director, Northpine Foundation.
The investment comes with ambitious targets. Northpine is supporting Food First NL to reach more than 16,000 people from over 250 communities, and to connect with at least 85 food producers to facilitate the purchase of $2.5 million of locally produced food. Hiring to support this growth has already begun. Applications are open for the Avalon Food Hub Coordinator role on the Food First NL website.
Anyone interested in receiving updates on these projects is encouraged to sign up for the Food First NL Newsletter at foodfirstnl.ca or follow Food First NL on social media @FoodFirstNL.
