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Food and Nutrition at the Dr. Peter Centre
Food is more than what’s on the plate.
It is nourishment. It’s care. It is an axis around which people meet, chat, and share joys and frustrations. It is the cohesive force of a community in the making.
At the Dr. Peter Centre, we take our meals seriously. From a health perspective, we offer robust, high-calorie, highly nutritional breakfast and lunch that meet a person’s basic needs for the day—even if those are the only two meals they eat that day.
And from a culinary perspective, we pour our all into mealtime. We’re fond of saying that we're the best restaurant in the neighbourhood. And it's true. With a kitchen staffed by red seal chefs, stocked with fresh ingredients and furnished with modern appliances, it makes sense that the food is exquisite. Because what says "dignity" and "love" better than a thoughtfully prepared meal shared among friends?
We cook for that person on their first day here, having just crossed the threshold of the Dr. Peter Centre—unsure of their new surroundings, perhaps harbouring some negative experiences with outreach programs in the past. Our food is an invitation to join in, enjoy yourself, enjoy the fine things in life. Our success metric: when they come back tomorrow.
In the past year, our kitchen staff served over 87,000 meals to more than 530 participants in the Day Health Program.
Our in-house dietitian works with our professional chef to create healthy meals that meet the necessary nutritional requirements (and taste great!).
We develop menus that fit our participant needs and tastes. And the food is served with a smile by our staff members and volunteers—the cherry on top of a nourishing mealtime at the Centre.
"For many participants, this program is often the first step of their journey to holistic recovery and regaining their sense of humanity," says our dietitian.
"When they are unable to afford food, the meals provided at the DPC remain their lifeline."