FAQ

It means “the place you get soup/broth”. 

Community Food Centres aim to address the underlying issues of food insecurity by advocating for income equality, providing community opportunities for collaborative learning, and providing education on health and nutrition. 

Qajuqturvik strives to strengthen health, belonging, and food sovereignty in Iqaluit by utilizing the power of food, tradition, and community. What does that look like? Many things! 

Our Daily Community Meal serves hot, nutritious meals during the week. Last year we served over 70,000 meals! Other programming includes a weekly Produce Box, Food Skills programming, Inuit Women’s Circle, Advocacy for food access, and the Qinnirvk Country Food and Bulk Store. 

Our vision is food sovereignty and security for Nunavummiut. Our vision is shaped by the Community Food Centre model pioneered by the national organization to which we belong, Community Food Centres Canada.

We’re on a mission to overcome the financial, educational, and systemic barriers of access to food in Nunavut.

• Currently we offer the following programs (more info on each program below): 

  • Daily Community Meal

  • Piruqutviniit Food Box (produce)

  • Inuit Women’s Circle

Our programs change throughout the year so stay tuned to our social media for updates

Events take place throughout the year. The best way to stay up to date on events is to follow our social media (Facebook and Instagram - LINK)

655 Mattaq Cres, across from St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral (Igloo church) 

Our current volunteer opportunities can be found at this link. 

Reach out to volunteer@qajuqturvik.ca to find out about our current volunteer opportunities. 

All volunteers are required to provide us with a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy.

Yes, please! As a non-profit, we rely on the support of those who want to see programming and advocacy around food security and sovereignty. Donations go towards our general operations.

We ask that donations be made monetarily -- via the website, cash, check, or Electronic Money Transfers. Because we produce food in such quantities (hundreds of meals a day!), food donations generally pose more challenges than solutions.

Yes. All donations above $20 are eligible for a charitable receipt. We issue a tax receipt to your email once your donation has been processed. If you sent a cheque, we will issue you a tax receipt by mail.

Cash donations are most useful, which you can do on our Donate.

If you would like to donate another way, you can EMT to donate@qajuqturvik.ca, send a cheque to 655 Mattaaq Crescent, Iqaluit NU, X0A 3H0

Food donations towards our daily community meal pose logistical challenges. We provide meals to hundreds of people a day. That means we cook food in bulk, on a large scale. Finidng ways to use small-scale donations is very challenging. That’s why donations via the website/cash/cheque/Electronic Money Transfers are by far the most useful to QCFC.

We do however have a small community pantry shelf in the food centre where unopened, unexpired foods in good condition can be left.  

Any other questions about donations can be sent to info@qajuqturvik.ca.

This takes place over the lunch hour Monday to Friday. Hot, fresh meals are served free of charge, for both dine-in and take out.

In order to ensure equality and dignity among our clients, we ask that those who dine in do not also take take-out. However, if clients want seconds of any meals, including take-out, they can wait until 12:45pm and if there is still food available, then they can get seconds.

Nothing, it’s free!

Monday to Friday every week, 11:30-1:00.  There is no meal service on statutory holidays.

Anyone!

QCFC Presents! is a fundraising program that gives local talented chefs and homecooks the opportunity to share their passion and love for food with the community. 

It takes place the last Saturday of most months 

The guest chef, which changes each month, designs the menu, recruits volunteers for preparation, service, and clean-up

The guest chef designs and executes the menu with some mystery and intrigue: it’s a culinary adventure!

Yes, this event is ticketed. Tickets must be ordered through info@qajuqturvik.ca ahead of time

• Tickets are pay what you can. In the past, tickets have sold for $60/person, however some paid more and others paid less

• Cash payments are discouraged; we prefer payment via EMT at info@qajuqturvik.ca

• Tickets generally become available the week before the event

• Stay tuned to our social media channels for the next installment!

It means “edible things that grow from the earth”

Each food box comes with 18-20 types of fruits and vegetables — enough to feed 3-4 people for a week. Boxes are pick-up only every Thursday between 11:30 and 5:30 at building 655. 

It’s a variety box, meaning every week it’s going to look a bit different. We structure it this way so we can get the best prices for items while also providing you with an opportunity to explore new recipes.

Even though it’s a variety box, we  guarantee that each box will contain 18-20 different types of fruits and vegetables. The box is generally enough produce to last a family of 4 for a week.

Full price $100, however this is available to everyone on a pay-what-you-can basis, with a minimum cost of $25. 

No, the opposite! When you buy a Piruqtuviniit food box at full price, you help provide a box for someone in your community who needs it.

Food insecurity is more than just hunger. It’s a range of insecurity that includes anything from skipping multiple meals to worrying about how to afford to purchase the quality of food you want to feed your family. The PWYC model meets people where they’re at and offers flexibility if someone’s income level changes.

Email order@qajuqturvik.ca with your order, and then send that same email address an Electronic Money Transfer

• You can pay in-person with credit or debit card, however all orders must be prepaid

• Payments are due no later than the Monday for that week’s box

Anyone!

This weekly program brings Inuit women together for crafting, cooking, and other activities. During the summer months, this program is held outside, where participants gather heather for a fire to make tea and food, and learn crafting skills under expert instructors. During the rest of the year, the program moves inside. Either way, the program always starts with a hot meal and involves crafting skills like sewing parks and making sealskin mitts.

If you have questions or want to sign up, email mary@qajuqturvik.ca or call the food centre 979-4863

Nothing, it’s free!

We ask that this space be reserved for those who identify as Inuit and female.  

To find out more about our Country Food Programming, please contact info@qajuqturvik.ca