When I last spoke with the We Feed Lunenburg team in September, the organization was already bearing fruit. Since then, the pace has only quickened. What began as a grassroots response to food insecurity has continued to grow, putting down deeper roots in the community while building firmly toward the future.
Over the past several months, We Feed Lunenburg has kept its foot on the pedal, increasing both the volume of food shared and the ways the community connects around it. Fundraising and awareness-building remain central, with a sell-out comedy night at the Lunenburg Fire Hall, regular presence at the local farmers market, and a steadily expanding group of volunteers cooking meals through both individual and group cook-offs. Together, these efforts help keep fresh, nourishing food moving steadily into the hands of those who need it.
As the organization has grown, so too has its leadership structure. Alicia Van de Sande of The Water Market, a key supporter since the earliest days, has stepped onto the board as site representative. Recognizing the rapid growth of its volunteer base, We Feed Lunenburg also created a new role, chair of volunteer management. A role into which Simon Martin Van de Sande fitted perfectly, and who describes volunteers as “the heartbeat of We Feed.”
Like tending a thriving garden, the focus has shifted from simply planting seeds to ensuring the conditions are right for sustained growth. As Simon notes, “Much of our growth has come from the willingness of people to give their time and care so generously. That same spirit will allow us to sustain our momentum.”
Looking ahead, 2026 promises to be a pivotal year. A $45,000 grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage helped carry the long-anticipated Food Hub across the finish line. While many in the community were preparing for the holidays, We Feed volunteers were busy stocking shelves and readying the space for its January opening. The official grand opening is set for January 10, with the doors open to the entire community.
The new Food Hub marks more than a physical expansion. It represents a deepening of We Feed Lunenburg’s role as a place of connection, dignity and shared effort. The hub will allow the organization to store more food safely, extend its hours of operation, and strengthen partnerships with other initiatives addressing food insecurity. Simon hopes “the Food Hub will be a place where people enjoy one another’s company and leave feeling connected and fulfilled.”
Beyond the hub itself, collaboration remains central to what comes next. We Feed Lunenburg is further solidifying its partnership with Food Vibes and the Cooking for Others initiative, with a shared goal of producing roughly 600 meals per month across two locations: Riverport and Lunenburg. Like companion planting in a garden, these partnerships allow each group to thrive while strengthening the overall system.
Looking further ahead, the organization hopes to continue building strong relationships with local growers, rescuing surplus produce before it goes to waste in fields or storage. It’s a natural extension of the work already underway to ensure good food reaches tables rather than compost piles, while supporting local agriculture at the same time.
There will always be room for new hands and new ideas as this initiative continues to grow. As We Feed Lunenburg looks ahead, its success will continue to depend not only on infrastructure or funding, but on the people willing to show up, share their time, and care for one another. Community members interested in volunteering, collaborating or contributing in other ways are encouraged to get in touch and be part of shaping what comes next.
The organization will host its annual general meeting on Feb. 26, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Lunenburg Legion Branch 23. For those curious about where We Feed Lunenburg is headed, it’s an opportunity to pull up a chair, listen in, and take part in the conversation about the seasons ahead.
As I wrote this article, I couldn’t help but reflect on a recent Globe and Mail piece about the longevity of Lunenburg residents, which credited the strength of community at the heart of daily life as a key factor in healthy living. Both in this article and in my earlier piece on We Feed Lunenburg, I’ve noted that while the work may appear, on the surface, to be about food, its true heart is community. It is deeply uplifting to see that truth reflected across the We Feed team and the wider community, showing that when care is cultivated collectively, the harvest reaches far beyond the table.
If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer please email Simon at simon.vdsande@wefeedlunenburg.org or visit We Feed Lunenburg
Bi-Line – UK-born, world-traveled, now anchored in Lunenburg—Emma Davies teaches mindfulness for calm living and leadership. Find more of The Rebel Flock on Substack or Insight Timer.
