Myrtle’s Kitchen Ready to Nourish Our Community
Written by admin, June 10, 2016
June 10, 2016 – Peterborough – For the thousands of local residents who struggle to access healthy meals, Myrtle’s Kitchen is now open and ready to not only offer them food skills they need, but some hope as well.
MPP Jeff Leal was on hand to acknowledge the support of one of the campaign’s major donors, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which contributed a $61,100 Capital grant towards cooking equipment for the new community kitchen. “I am pleased to take part in today’s official grand opening of Myrtle’s Kitchen, a project that received assistance from our government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said the Honourable Jeff Leal, MPP for Peterborough. “Myrtle’s Kitchen will have a positive impact on our downtown core and improve the quality of life for many community members by creating a space to access healthy food and learn valuable life skills.”
The new kitchen features state-of-the-art appliances, such as Peterborough’s only vent-less industrial dishwasher, two ranges (one gas, one electric), a heat-activated fire suppression system in the vent hood above the stoves, a separate food storage pantry, and is fully stocked with cooking equipment. The kitchen will be used to teach cooking skills, healthy eating, safe food handling, and connect participants to local foods to support local food producers.
“Food security is a major challenge facing many individuals and families throughout the county and city of Peterborough as poverty rates continue to climb,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health for Peterborough Public Health. “Opening Myrtle’s Kitchen today is a major community achievement, and will reduce the negative health outcomes this causes by creating a warm and welcoming place where everyone can learn how to cook nutritious, affordable meals while building a closer sense of community in the process.”
A joint initiative of Peterborough Public Health (formerly the Peterborough County-City Health Unit), the Nourish Project and the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, Myrtle’s Kitchen officially opened today on the second floor of Peterborough Public Health at 185 King St. To find out more about Myrtle’s Kitchen and upcoming programs, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca
A tribute wall was also unveiled today as part of the opening ceremonies to honour the many donors from across the county and city of Peterborough whose generosity brought Myrtle’s Kitchen from dream to reality.
A leading grantmaking foundation in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities. For more information, please visit: www.otf.ca
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391