Community Access Market marks 10 years of affordable food access in Stratford

Jenn Parsons and volunteer Christine Bland stand inside the Local Community Food Centre’s Community Access Market, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary of providing affordable groceries to the community.

The Local Community Food Centre’s Community Access Market is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of helping make fresh, affordable food more accessible for people in Stratford.

What started as a small setup of local produce on tables in the main dining area at the Local has now become a full market open during the week to serve anyone looking to save on groceries.

“It has sort of evolved to meet the demands of the people who already come through the doors,” said Jenn Parsons, manager of food logistics. “We listen to the requests, and then it becomes a staple part of what we provide. Dairy, for instance, came about because we received a small refrigerator as a donation. So then I thought, ‘Oh, we can start selling milk; people have been wanting milk.’”

From there, the market has evolved into its own unit at the Local, where a range of food, including fresh produce, dairy products, meat, pantry staples, frozen foods and, when available, culturally diverse items are available for purchase.

One popular item is the day-old bread from Downie Street Bakehouse, initially purchased and sold for $3 a loaf. Ten years later, the owner has never increased the price for the Local, meaning the market is able to pass along high-quality bread at outstanding prices.

At its core, the market was created to fill a gap between traditional food banks and regular grocery stores, offering people a way to access healthy food at lower prices while maintaining dignity and choice.

Instead of pre-packed hampers, the Community Access Market works more like a small grocery store. People can browse shelves, pick out their own groceries and choose foods that work for their households, all at significantly lower prices than traditional retailers.

For many shoppers, the market means stretching a grocery budget a little further – and still heading home with enough fresh ingredients to make healthy meals for the week.

“We see an increased need every year, but over the last two years especially, there has been a rise in need within the community,” said Parsons. “It's really nice to see this dream come true and continue to grow.

“Seeing that it's meeting a need, and hearing people … be astounded by, not only the price that they're being charged, but also how excited they are about the quality of items, is really nice to see.”

Beyond groceries, the market also aims to be a community space for connection and friendships.

“It is a community itself, and it's really lovely when people come into the market for the first few times, they're a little unsure,” said volunteer Christine Bland. “You get to know everyone and greet them by name. You learn what they normally have in their basket, and if they don't have something they usually purchase, you can remind them. It’s a very personalized experience, and I think everybody needs personal interactions like that.”

What makes the Community Access Market unique is that it’s open to everyone. Whether someone is on a tight budget or simply looking for affordable, good-quality food, they are welcome.

Revenue generated through purchases is reinvested directly into the market, helping keep prices low, supporting programming and strengthening the Local as a whole. In turn, that support flows back into the wider community, reinforcing a model built on shared participation rather than separation.

The Local Community Food Centre is part of the national Right to Food network, which treats food security as a human right. Its work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves access to healthy food, and that dignity, accessibility and removing barriers are central to that philosophy.

Recent data from the Canadian Income Survey (CIS), conducted by the Local’s parent organization Right to Food, shows just how widespread the issue has become. The findings show that one in four people – nearly 10 million Canadians – live in households that struggle to afford food, including 2.4 million children.

As the Community Access Market marks its 10th anniversary, organizers say the focus remains on meeting growing community need while staying rooted in the same values it started with – dignity, choice and accessibility.

With a recent grant, the market is continuing to grow and serve the community.

Everyone is encouraged to drop by during market hours and pick up groceries at great prices while also supporting the community.

The market is open Mondays from 4-6 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.