Palgrave United Community Kitchen to collaborate with Town of Caledon

Programs to be offered through new partnership

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A local non-profit is teaming up with the Town of Caledon to offer some unique programs.

At Caledon Council's March 5 General Committee meeting, Caledon's Manager of Recreation and Culture Jason Schildroth submitted a memorandum to Council about the Town's partnership goals with the Palgrave United Community Kitchen (PUCK).

Schildroth explained Town staff met with representatives from PUCK on January 19 to identify mutual goals, such as general interest programs for Caledon residents. 

“Through late January and early February 2024, the recreation and culture team has held

conversations with the Palgrave United Church kitchen program to develop strategic partnerships,” reads the memorandum.

Programming for people of all ages was discussed, in areas like cooking, canning, and sustainable skill development.

Schildroth said partnership goals for PUCK and Caledon include offering a weekly program for children and youth this Fall; two workshops for adults this Fall; one workshop as part of Culture Days in September; and “exploration of entrepreneurship event alignment within Humber River Centre programming showcasing commercial users of the Palgrave United Church Kitchen and its role in their business model.”

These programs and workshops will be offered to Caledon residents as part of Caledon's recreation guide. Caledon has a community service agreement framework that allows it to collaborate with external agencies and community groups to support community-driven recreation services and programs.

Caledon Council first directed staff to hold discussions with PUCK last December. PUCK had reached out to the Town as the church it's located in is facing some financial challenges. PUCK wants to keep offering its many programs, such as the Dirt 2 Delicious summer camp and Nordic walking, in the community, so it made an appeal for support and collaboration.

At the March 5 meeting, PUCK volunteer Barb Imrie delegated to Council to share some information about PUCK. 

She said the Palgrave United Church is a pillar in the local community and that it's an inclusive and accessible space. 

“The kitchen offers a variety of skill-building and knowledge-sharing workshops and camps and is focused on supporting and growing the local food system,” said Imrie.

She said the Palgrave United Community Kitchen offers age-friendly programs for seniors and is a vital place for social connection in an underserved area of Caledon.

Imrie shared some of the many different things PUCK has achieved over the years, such as providing hot lunches to local schools, working with individuals with special needs, supporting entrepreneurs with food businesses, and offering outdoor activities during the pandemic. 

In 2023, 441 different Caledon residents participated in PUCK activities with over 3,200 visits. 

As PUCK looks towards the future, it wants to be a community and culinary hub for Caledon.

“We're ready to move to the next level,” said Imrie.

Caledon Mayor Annette Groves said it's amazing to see the community involvement from individuals of all ages at PUCK. She said PUCK is a great example of what community is all about.

Groves said she's glad to hear the new partnership between the Town and PUCK is going well.

Ward 4 Councillor Nick de Boer said he was happy to see Imrie's presentation showcasing all that PUCK does in the community.

“It's been an anchor within our community… bringing a lot of enlightening programs,” said de Boer, adding that a partnership with the Town will take things to the next level. “I think this is a great partnership.”