Our Mission
Eden Food for Change is committed to increasing access to good food in a dignified manner, developing food skills to encourage healthy eating and empowering the community through education, outreach and advocacy.
Our mission
Eden Food for Change is committed to increasing access to good food in a dignified manner, developing food skills to encourage healthy eating and empowering the community through education, outreach and advocacy.
Our Story
In 1989, a few members of Eden United Church noticed there were hungry families in their church and in the community. It was in the fall of this same year that an informal food bank began. A place where people would donate food and hungry families could access food. In the spring of 1990 this became an official program at the church.
As time went on this volunteer-run program continued to grow and in 2002, Eden Food Bank was incorporated and became an officially registered charity. While it continued to run out of Eden United Church, Eden Food Bank was now its own organization.
And still it grew, both in need and in donations, to the point that volunteers were overwhelmed and the organization considering closing. Instead, 2005 was time for the first paid employee, and a part-time manager was hired. By the end of the year there were two part-time employees.
Initially serving Meadowvale, Eden Food Bank grew to serve the L5N and L5M postal codes. In 2007 our name was changed to Eden Community Food Bank to better reflect who we were.
Desiring to better serve the community, Eden expanded to a second location on Unity Drive in 2009 to provide food for people residing in the L5L and L5K postal codes. In 2010 we hired our first Executive Director to help increase Eden’s impact in the community and better engage with supporters.
Our Community Learning Kitchen initiative began in 2011 and was officially launched in 2013. It provides cooking classes for food bank recipients based around the types of food they receive from us. The kitchen also provides the opportunity for volunteers to help prepare nutritious food to be cooked, portioned, and packaged for distribution through the food bank.
In the spring of 2014, we adapted again to meet the needs of our community and announced a transition away from the stereotypical food bank model of food collection and distribution to a community food centre model that better responds to the needs of hungry families taking a more relational, long-term and sustainable approach. This change encompasses our desire to help provide food for hungry people, be a place for our entire community to access nutritious food and food skills and to provide opportunities to learn more about good, healthy food. Serving all of western Mississauga, Eden Food for Change is committed to working to provide GOOD FOOD FOR ALL!
And still it grew, both in need and in donations, to the point that volunteers were overwhelmed and the organization considering closing. Instead, 2005 was time
Our Story
In 1989, a few members of Eden United Church noticed there were hungry families in their church and in the community. It was in the fall of this same year that an informal food bank began. A place where people would donate food and hungry families could access food. In the spring of 1990 this became an official program at the church.
As time went on this volunteer-run program continued to grow and in 2002, Eden Food Bank was incorporated and became an officially registered charity. While it continued to run out of Eden United Church, Eden Food Bank was now its own organization.
And still it grew, both in need and in donations, to the point that volunteers were overwhelmed and the organization considering closing. Instead, 2005 was time for the first paid employee, and a part-time manager was hired. By the end of the year there were two part-time employees.
Initially serving Meadowvale, Eden Food Bank grew to serve the L5N and L5M postal codes. In 2007 our name was changed to Eden Community Food Bank to better reflect who we were.
Desiring to better serve the community, Eden expanded to a second location on Unity Drive in 2009 to provide food for people residing in the L5L and L5K postal codes. In 2010 we hired our first Executive Director to help increase Eden’s impact in the community and better engage with supporters.
Our Community Learning Kitchen initiative began in 2011 and was officially launched in 2013. It provides cooking classes for food bank recipients based around the types of food they receive from us. The kitchen also provides the opportunity for volunteers to help prepare nutritious food to be cooked, portioned, and packaged for distribution through the food bank.
In the spring of 2014, we adapted again to meet the needs of our community and announced a transition away from the stereotypical food bank model of food collection and distribution to a community food centre model that better responds to the needs of hungry families taking a more relational, long-term and sustainable approach. This change encompasses our desire to help provide food for hungry people, be a place for our entire community to access nutritious food and food skills and to provide opportunities to learn more about good, healthy food. Serving all of western Mississauga, Eden Food for Change is committed to working to provide GOOD FOOD FOR ALL!
And still it grew, both in need and in donations, to the point that volunteers were overwhelmed and the organization considering closing. Instead, 2005 was time
SPRING 1990
Members of Eden United Church notice an increase of food insecure families in their local community and start an informal food pantry.
SPRING 1990
The food bank becomes an offcial program of the church
2002
This volunteer-run program is incorporated and becomes an officially registered charity separate from Eden United Church.
The Food Bank is overwhelmed by the need in the community and lack of donations. Volunteers contemplate shutting down.
2005
Part time staff are officially hired to help run the organization and handle community demand.
The Food Bank expands its service area beyond Meadowvale to include L5N & L5M postal codes.
2007
Name changed to Eden Community Food Bank
2009
The Unity Drive location is opened to serve the L5L postal code.
2010
First Executive Director is hired
2011
The organization intentionally focused on providing fresh food through the Food Bank.
2013
Learning Kitchen officially launched
Spring 2014
New Vision & Mission statements announced
Eden Food Bank officially becomes a Good Food Organization in alliance with the Community Food Centres Canada.
May 27, 2015
New name and logo to better reflect all the work we do
Peter Costello
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
peter@www.edenffc.org
Peter became the Director of Operations for the Community Learning Kitchen in 2013 and Executive Director in early 2020. He spent many years in the food service industry having worked at prestigious establishments such as Langdon Hall and Sooke Harbour House. Previously, Peter and his family lived and worked in China, where they spent their weekends volunteering in orphanages. He has a passion to see people living in poverty eating healthy, nutritious meals and enjoys teaching good kitchen and nutrition skills to everyone. Peter, his wife and three children enjoy camping and outdoor sports and he also likes organic gardening and European sports cars.
Deborah Kühnen
FOOD BANK MANAGER
deb@www.edenffc.org
Deb volunteered at Eden Food for Change for 10 years in many roles before joining the team as Food Bank Manager in July of 2020. Deb believes that everyone who walks through our doors deserves to be served with compassion, dignity and respect. Deb is a true foodie and enjoys spending her time off visiting new restaurants, cooking a variety of cuisines and spending quality time with her family.
Sharon Austin
OFFICE MANAGER
sharon@www.edenffc.org
Sharon is our Office Manager. She brings a high level of expertise to this position. Sharon has over 30 years of non-profit experience in the areas of housing, social services and literacy programs. Sharon’s passion is to help those who are less fortunate in the community. When Sharon is not busy with work she enjoys being with friends and family, Sharon has spent many years volunteering in her community.
Naz Zarifian
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
naz@www.edenffc.org
Naz has been with Eden Food for Change since joining the Board of Directors as Secretary in 2013. Previous to joining the board, Naz has worked on various initiatives including the Federal Election campaign. She travelled abroad to earn her Masters degree at the University of Sydney in International Studies & Human Rights and has experience working for different nonprofits throughout the years. Naz enjoys combining her passion for technology and Eden Food for Change through community engagement, communications, and managing our online platforms.
Chris Szypulewski
OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR
chris@www.edenffc.org
Chris began working as the Operations Supervisor in 2009. He enjoys this position because it keeps him busy while continually providing rewarding challenges. It also allows Chris the reassuring feeling that he is actually accomplishing something for other people. While Chris’ role has him driving around a lot, he enjoys the teamwork atmosphere provided by the close-knit staff. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids and is a WWII history buff.
Eden Food for Change’s Board of Directors is made up of volunteers from a cross section of professions and life experiences within the community. Each Board member is concerned about hunger and poverty and passionate about the work of EFFC to respond to the needs of hungry families. Board members leverage their skills, experience and network to advance the cause. The Board is responsible for the organization overall and ensures that the organization is accomplishing its goals and objectives based on the vision and mission. The Board of Directors meet monthly.
Jeff Miller
PRESIDENT
Jeff Miller joined the Board of Directors in May of 2017. He has spent his career in commercial real estate and is currently Head of Industrial for Oxford Properties Group (OMERS Pension Fund) where he is responsible for all aspects of Oxford’s industrial business, including the strategy, team and portfolio across North America. Jeff currently sits on the board for IDI Logistics and the Real Estate Program Advisory Board for the University of Guelph. He has lived in Meadowvale for over 25 years with his wife and three children.
Imran Hasan
VICE PRESIDENT
Imran Hasan is President at Transglobal Systems Of Canada (TSOC), a second generation family owned business in the Telecom sector founded in Mississauga-Streetsville (1983). TSOC has become a leading manufacturer of innovative connectivity solutions for intelligent buildings. Imran is passionate about connecting with people through volunteer roles including past chair at Mississauga Board Of Trade (Growth & Power Committee + International Trade Committee). Imran believes in supporting local businesses and building stronger communities by supporting organizations (Mississauga Board Of Trade, Mississauga Arts Council, Canadian Forces Liaison Council) and by helping organize fund raising events in collaboration with local stakeholders including (Carassauga Festival – Canada Pavilion, Canada Day BBQ, Streetsville Christmas Breakfast, Coldest Night Of the Year – Walk, Feed Mississauga and Royal Canadian Legion) in benefit of local charities and food banks (Eden Food For Change, Compass & The Mississauga Food Bank). The contributions to business and community are only secondary to his priority to family. Imran married the love of his life in (2001) and together they proudly live, work and raise (2) children + (2) cats in the Mississauga-Streetsville neighborhood.
Gail Ryan
VICE PRESIDENT
Gail Ryan joined the Board of Directors in May, 2016 and is a Certified Management Accountant. She currently holds a Vice President position with Aimia where she has overall responsibility for the management and growth of the Enhancement Services line of business. She has spent most of her career building and managing various businesses specifically related to direct response marketing. Gail lives in the Meadowvale area with her family and spends her spare time golfing, gardening and cooking.
Allan Saito
allan@www.edenffc.org
Allan Saito joined the Board of Directors in June of 2019. He has worked in commercial real estate at an Executive Level, most recently with Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust, Build Toronto, GE Capital, and Dundee Realty. Allan currently sits on the Taste of Eden, Fundraising and Real Estate committees at Eden Food for Change and also volunteers on Thursday nights at the Battleford Food Bank location. Allan has lived in Erin Mills for over 25 years with his wife and two daughters.
Ron Saito
ron@www.edenffc.org
Ron Saito joined the Board of Directors in 2004. He completed 6 years as President in 2013. He rejoined the Board in 2014 and was nominated as President in 2015. Ron had a 30-year career in technology companies including IBM, Nortel and independent consulting and has served on several community organizations and industry boards. Ron is married to Pat and has three adult children and two grandchildren. Hobbies include roller coasters, beer and cooking. Ron received the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee medal for his volunteer work.
Ross Lomon
ross@www.edenffc.org
Ross attended Chambly County High School and Sir George Williams College, both located in Montreal. He worked for CN Rail in Montreal, London, Kitchener, and Toronto in Sales/Marketing. He then moved to Branttel Networks in Burlington until he retired in 2015 which is when he Joined EFFC in 2015 . He worked as a volunteer in the warehouse at Unity and Battleford, doing various show presentations. He is on the committees for RAH and Taste of Eden and participated in Coldest Night of the Year. He was on the Board for one term previously and has rejoined the Board this year. He enjoys participating in client surveys and soliciting funds for EFFC.
Chuck Stobie
chuck@www.edenffc.org
Chuck joined the Board of Directors in May 2017. He is a lawyer and at present is a partner with Keyser Mason Ball LLP in Mississauga, where he practices commercial real estate law. He was born and raised in Mississauga, is married and has two daughters. His past community involvement includes participation in a hot breakfast program in the Acorn community in Mississauga as well as sitting on the Board of Directors for Youth Without Shelter in Etobicoke.
Paula Brundia
paula@www.edenffc.org
Paula Brundia joined the Board of Directors in June of 2020. She has spent her career working in the health care sector, both in long term care and in home care. For the last 20 years she has worked for Bayshore Home Care Solutions and is currently the Human Resources Manager at the GTA Branch located in Mississauga. Paula has lived in Meadowvale for the last 30 years with her husband and two children.
Paramveer Kainth
paramveer@www.edenffc.org
Paramveer Kainth joined the Board of Directors in July of 2020 and is a member of the Finance Committee. He is currently a Manager at RBC Capital Markets, where he leads a team that manages risk for Canadian and U.S. clients. For the past 5 years, he has been working in the Accounting and Finance sector and is also pursuing his CPA designation. He is passionate about travelling, playing sports, and volunteering with organizations such as Eden Food For Change that support local communities.
Laura Frith
TREASURER
laura@www.edenffc.org
Laura joined the board in July 2020 and serves on the Finance Committee. After graduating from McMaster University with a Bachelors of Science in Life Science and an MBA in Accounting and Finance, she moved to Mississauga to pursue a career in public accounting where she has worked for the last 8 years. Having established her career, she seeks to give back to her community through Eden Food For Change.
Carrie McMullen
carrie@www.edenffc.org
Carrie joined the Board of Directors in June 2020. Carrie is Program Executive for Allegis Global Solutions (AGS), leading the Contingent Workforce Program at CIBC. She has spent the last 12 years in various roles for Allegis Group, developing her knowledge of workforce strategy and talent solutions in roles including recruiting, business development, and contingent program leadership. Carrie currently serves on AGS’ Inclusion & Diversity board and previously served as Executive Chair of Aerotek Canada’s Diversity & Inclusion Board and as Lead of Mississauga Board of Trade’s Women’s Leadership Committee. Outside of the office, Carrie is a wife and mother of two, a registered yoga teacher and student of holistic nutrition with a passion for cooking and community wellness. She is excited to bring her professional knowledge of strategic planning and personal passions for wellness to the service of EFFC.
Sanjay Ghaness
sanjay@www.edenffc.org
Sanjay joined the Eden board in 2022 as a member of the HR Committee. After graduating from Sheridan with a specialization in HR he has been focused on recruitment initiatives for Bayshore Healthcare. He has always found time to volunteer and looks forward to contributing his time and knowledge to Eden