The simple act of sharing a meal – something many take for granted – has become a powerful tool for community building among LGBTQ+ Canadians facing unique barriers to food security. This summer, the Victoria Foundation announced a $75,000 grant to support specialized food programs serving queer and transgender individuals across Vancouver Island.
“Food insecurity affects nearly one in five LGBTQ+ households in Canada, compared to the national average of one in eight,” explains Tara Robertson, director of Rainbow Kitchen, a community food initiative in Victoria’s Esquimalt neighborhood. “These aren’t just statistics – they represent real people in our communities who often face compounding challenges.”
The grant will fund three initiatives: Rainbow Kitchen’s weekly queer community dinners, a mobile pantry program serving rural LGBTQ+ seniors, and cooking skills workshops for transgender youth aging out of care systems.
What makes these programs distinctive isn’t just who they serve, but how they serve. Traditional food banks, while vital, don’t always address the specific needs of queer and transgender Canadians, particularly those experiencing homelessness or family rejection.
“When I first came out, I couldn’t go home,” shares Jordan Chen, 24, who regularly attends Rainbow Kitchen’s Thursday night dinners. “The community meals weren’t just about food – they gave me a place where I could be myself while figuring out next steps. That matters more than people realize.”
According to Statistics Canada’s 2021 data, LGBTQ+ individuals report higher rates of poverty and housing insecurity than their heterosexual counterparts, with transgender Canadians experiencing particularly severe economic disparities.
The Victoria Foundation’s funding decision reflects growing awareness about these intersecting vulnerabilities. Sandra Richardson, the foundation’s CEO, notes that their community needs assessment revealed significant gaps in specialized services.
“We’re seeing the tremendous impact of programs that combine nutrition with belonging,” Richardson said at the grant announcement. “These initiatives create safer spaces where people can access food while connecting with others who understand their lived experiences.”
The mobile pantry program, operated through partnership with Island Health’s outreach team, will reach LGBTQ+ seniors in communities outside Victoria’s urban core – addressing both food security and the isolation many queer elders experience in rural settings.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry endorsed the initiative, noting that “nutrition and social connection are fundamental determinants of health that can significantly impact both physical and mental wellbeing.”
For transgender youth exiting care systems, the cooking workshops offer practical skills and community building that many missed during difficult adolescent years.
“Many of our participants never had the chance to learn basic cooking in stable home environments,” explains workshop coordinator Malik Williams. “These classes aren’t just about nutrition – they’re about creating chosen family around food traditions.”
Local food systems experts suggest these specialized approaches may provide models for addressing food insecurity in other marginalized communities.
University of Victoria food policy researcher Dr. Emily Sinclair points out that “food programming that acknowledges social barriers and cultural needs tends to have higher engagement and better long-term outcomes than universal approaches alone.”
The Victoria Foundation’s decision comes amid concerns about increased food costs affecting vulnerable communities. According to Food Banks Canada, usage rates have increased 35% nationwide since 2019, with marginalized groups experiencing disproportionate impact.
Food inflation continues to outpace general inflation, with Statistics Canada reporting basic grocery costs up 6.2% from last year despite overall inflation slowing to 3.8%.
“When you’re already struggling financially and facing discrimination in housing or employment, these price increases hit especially hard,” Robertson explains. “Many LGBTQ+ individuals are choosing between rent, medication, and adequate nutrition.”
Community response to the funded programs has been enthusiastic. The weekly dinners regularly serve 45-60 people, while the cooking workshops have waitlists for upcoming sessions.
Looking ahead, program coordinators hope to expand services and collect data that could inform broader food security policies. The grant covers operations through 2023, with possibilities for renewal based on program outcomes.
“This isn’t charity – it’s community care,” Williams emphasizes. “We’re creating spaces where people can access food with dignity while building connections that support wellbeing in multiple ways.”
For those interested in supporting these initiatives, Rainbow Kitchen accepts donations of pantry staples, fresh produce, and volunteer time. The Victoria Foundation also maintains a dedicated fund for LGBTQ+ community support projects throughout Vancouver Island.
As the programs develop, organizers plan to share best practices with similar initiatives across Canada, potentially creating a framework for LGBTQ-inclusive food security programming that could be adapted nationwide.
