Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, announced a federal investment of $735,360 to renovate and retrofit the Roots Community Food Centre in Thunder Bay.
Through this investment, the Roots Community Food Centre will install new doors and upgraded windows with solar shading that will minimize heat loss in the winter and keep the building naturally cool in the summer. It will also enable them to install a new boiler that uses locally sourced wood pellets and create a rain garden with plants and natural materials found locally that will capture rainwater and mitigate runoff.
These improvements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 30.2% and greenhouse gas emissions by 124 tonnes annually.
Roots Community Food Centre serves people in the greater Thunder Bay community who are food insecure by using food as a tool to connect people and build belonging and dignity. Alongside outreach and advocacy programs, the center provides community members with access to shared meals, fresh produce markets, cooking and garden courses, and employment experiences.
By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.
