Chef Derek (Green shirt on the right) and some of the volunteers who helped make the meal
A major new chapter in food security and community support began in Smiths Falls Monday as the Falls Food Hub welcomed residents for its first community lunch inside its permanent location at 41 Chambers Street.
The program, operated by The Table Community Food Centre, opened the renovated space in the Giant Tiger mall complex with chicken and sausage casserole, garlic bread and kale salad. A vegetarian option was also available.
Falls Food Hub Operations Manager Ashley Saunders had been working toward the opening with the Hub team through a long period of planning and construction. Shortly after noon, she estimated about 75 people had already come through.
The lunch ran from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The dining room can seat 50 people at a time, and organizers had warned residents they might face a short wait while the team adjusted to serving meals in the new facility.
The Hub had also promised there would be a plate for everyone who came. The program is open to all members of the community. Organizers asked visitors for patience, respect and kindness during the opening weeks as staff and volunteers settled in.
Monday’s meal marked a major step for The Table, which has supported the Falls Food Hub through years of fundraising and renovation work.
Falls Food Hub Operations Manager Ashley Saunders is all smiles at their first community meal in their new home
Executive Director Rob Rainer said the Falls Food Hub had been serving a weekly community meal at Hanley Hall since early 2023 while work continued on the new site.
The move now gives the program its own permanent base in Smiths Falls. More than $500,000 was spent renovating the Chambers Street location, including the new kitchen and dining area.
Former Table executive director Ramsey Hart was also singled out for his contribution to the project. Rainer said Hart was one of the key people behind the effort and hopes he can be recognized at the official opening next month.
A formal grand opening is planned for Sept. 17. It will include a lunch for invited donors, supporters and community partners, followed by an afternoon open house for the public.
Until then, regular Monday lunches will continue. The Table also hopes to expand to a second weekly meal, likely a dinner, once the team is ready.
Keeping pace with future demand will be one of the next challenges. The Table says continued food and cash donations will be important as more residents use the facility.
Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow said the opening was an important moment for a project that had been discussed in the community for years.
He credited Saunders, chef Derek Coutanche, the volunteers, The Table board and others who helped keep the project moving through the fundraising and construction phases.
Pankow said the Hub’s role could continue to grow as more programming is developed around the meals.
About three dozen volunteers are involved with the Falls Food Hub, helping prepare, serve and support the meal program.
For Coutanche, Monday also marked the first chance to cook for the community from the Hub’s new commercial kitchen after working out of Hanley Hall.
He was still getting used to the new equipment and layout as the first service unfolded, but the kitchen gave the team a permanent workspace designed around the needs of the program.
Monday was considered a soft opening ahead of the September ceremony, but it gave residents their first real look at how the finished facility will operate.
The opening also brought the Falls Food Hub closer to the larger goal that has guided the project from the start: using food as a way to strengthen the community.
The first lunch was the beginning rather than the finish line. Organizers now plan to learn from each Monday service, build capacity and gradually add more opportunities for residents to take part.
After years of fundraising, renovations and weekly meals in temporary space, the Falls Food Hub was finally serving Smiths Falls from the place built for the job.
