Food Connects Us All
PROJECT DOCUMENTATION
Project Aim
The aim of this project is to amplify Parkdale Food Centre's contribution to our community by strengthening Mino'Weesini as a place for connection and sharing among the members of our community. In order to do this, through this project a vision of how this can happen will be ideated and detailed.
What is a vision
A vision is a representation of a future state and situation. It is the representation that emerges from and reflects our shared goals, needs, desires, and values. It is made of a series of images and narratives that describe what that future situation would be, how and why.
In our specific case, it will be made by images and stories that illustrate both what Mino’Weesini will be if it will become a place for community connection and care; and that can happen – specific future activities, serve and situations will illustrate how that would be possible. A vision is not a detailed and fully developed solution, but it shows the main elements of the way forward (i.e., values, dynamics, resources) and it guides the subsequent activities of design development.
Over the coming months, there will be a series of collaborative hands-on workshops and community events where, together, we will explore ideas, values, and practical actions to improve Mino'Weesini. Each workshop invites participants to contribute their experiences and insights to create a space where everyone feels connected and valued.
Over the coming months, there will be a series of collaborative hands-on workshops and community events where, together, we will explore ideas, values, and practical actions to improve Mino'Weesini. Each workshop invites participants to contribute their experiences and insights to create a space where everyone feels connected and valued.
Process Overview
DECEMBER 2024 - JANUARY 2025
Mapping Local Resources
Collective creative activity to map local tangible and intangible resources related to community dynamics and care, and food security in the neighbourhood.
Part 1: December 2024
Part 2: December 2024 - January 2025
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2025
Mapping Needs, Desires & Values
Collective creative activity to share individual needs and desires to identify values in terms of community building, care and food security.
Part 1A: January 2025
Part 1B: January 2025
Part 2: February 2025
NOVEMBER 2024 - JANUARY 2025
Data Collection by Lived Experience Experts
Individual and collective creative activity to represent situations of community, care and food security to promote awareness.
FEBRUARY - MARCH 2025
Vision Generation
Based on all the information collected and inspiring cases, ideas will be generated for what Mino’Weesini will become and what type of activities we would like to see there.
Overview of the approach
Community-Based Participatory Design:
The aim of this project is to amplify Parkdale Food Centre's contribution to our community by strengthening Mino'Weesini as a place for connection and sharing among the members of our community. In order to do this, through this project a vision of how this can happen will be ideated and detailed.
Structured Active Contribution (Individual & Collective):
The project requires active contributions from community members who decide to participate. Contribution can be provided by participating in individual and collective activities designed to support the sharing of personal insights and experiences and collective brainstorming.
Responsiveness:
The process is responsive. This means that the process might slightly change over time to address community’s needs, and its ideas and perspectives (e.g., some activities might change, others extended or postponed, etc.).
Intersectionality:
We also aim to take on an intersectional approach, recognizing that our identities and lived experiences are diverse and interconnected and that these complexities shape the way we see and navigate everyday life.
Mutual Learning:
It is important to acknowledge that every one of us has valuable experience and expertise. In the activities and in the process, emphasis is given to learning from and with each other, valuing each story and perspective.
Shared Vision:
The activities aim at constantly mediate between the personal and the collective, so to be sure that the outcome truly reflects what our community values.