ABOUT US | Upward Café

WHO WE ARE

We’re chefs and community builders using food as a tool for connection and dignity. Our team brings together culinary experience and social impact work to create meals that matter for the people we serve and the communities we’re part of.

OUR HISTORY

Upward Kitchens was founded in 2011 by Mark Brand on the traditional and unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC, with a clear intention to feed people with dignity. Since then, we have served over 5 million meals across Canada, building food systems rooted in care, equity, and community.

In 2023, Upward Kitchens East opened on the unceded Mi’kmaw territories in Halifax, NS, in response to a growing need for food security in the region. In just over a year, we have served more

than 500,000 meals, supporting children and women fleeing

violence through trusted local partnerships. The Café was

created as an extension of this work, offering a

welcoming space where real food is made from

scratch, priced to include, and served with care.

We are here to nourish people, strengthen

community, and build something

better together.

THE TEAM

Harry Woolmore

Café Chef

Mitch Henrichs

Café Manager

Kumud Singh

Café & Community Support Staff

Kage Hamilton

Café Chef & Community Support Staff

Brett Chiasson

Café & Community Support Staff

Diana Morrissey

Community Culinary Development Manager

Rudy Menard

Operations Director

Teymour Adham

Content & Communications Manager

MISSION & VALUES

DIGNITY THROUGH WORK

We create opportunities for individuals to build careers, not just jobs.

OUR PARTNERS

We do not do this work alone. Our partners include schools, shelters, grassroots organizations, funders, and fellow changemakers who share our belief that food can be a catalyst for dignity and connection. Together, we have built meal programs, launched community fridges, supported women and children in

crisis, and created meaningful impact through food. Every partnership

is rooted in trust, shared values, and a commitment to building

a more equitable food system.

A Better Life Foundation has been a core partner in our East Coast work from the very beginning. Together, we have expanded access to dignified, nutritious meals for people facing food insecurity, with a focus on women, children, and individuals experiencing housing instability. Through shared infrastructure, funding, and a deeply aligned values based approach, ABLF helps power our daily meal programs and community initiatives. This partnership is rooted in a shared belief that food is a human right and that everyone deserves care, dignity, and opportunity.

East Coast Credit Union is a founding operational partner of Upward Kitchen and Cafe in Halifax. Their long term commitment has helped establish the foundation of our work by supporting staffing, operations, and meal delivery that reaches thousands of community members. They have also played a key role in advancing initiatives like our Token Project and Waste Not Want Not. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to food security, dignity, and strengthening resilient local communities.

PROGRAM PARTNERS

Preston Area Food Network

Working together to increase food access, advocate for food justice, and build sustainable food systems in the Preston area.

Housing First

Partnering to provide stable employment pathways and food security support for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

Upward Kitchens

We work hand-in-hand with our sister organization, Upward Kitchens, to build a food system that serves everyone—especially those most often left out. Their teams lead large-scale meal production, culinary training, and workforce development, while we focus on distribution, dignity-first service, and deep community integration. Together, we create a seamless model that not only feeds people but also creates jobs, reduces waste, and transforms lives through the power of food.

Local Farms and Suppliers

Sourcing fresh, sustainable, and ethically produced ingredients to elevate our menu and impact.

North End Community Health Centre

Our partnership with the North End Community Health Centre (NECHC) is built on a shared commitment to equity, dignity, and community-rooted care. Together, we address the social determinants of health through daily, scratch-made meals that nourish both body and spirit—serving folks navigating food insecurity, housing instability, and systemic barriers. NECHC’s trusted presence in the community and holistic approach to health make them an essential partner in delivering not just meals, but wraparound support with care and compassion.

Hope Blooms

Our partnership with Hope Blooms is rooted in shared values of dignity, opportunity, and community-led change. Together, we support youth-driven social enterprise and food security initiatives that make a real impact in Halifax. As part of this collaboration, we proudly accept Hope Blooms’ digital currency—created and managed by local youth—as a form of payment in our cafe, reinforcing a circular economy that empowers the next generation and keeps value within the community.

Bryony House

Supporting survivors of domestic violence by providing food access and skill-building opportunities for women and families.

Feed Nova Scotia

A critical food security partner, helping us distribute meals and access surplus food for community programs.

City of Halifax

Collaborating on municipal initiatives that support food security, workforce development, and community resilience.

Community Fridges - Halifax & Dartmouth

We’re proud to support both the Halifax and Dartmouth Community Fridges by donating fresh, nutritious meals on a regular basis. These fridges are grassroots, community-run efforts that provide free food to anyone who needs it—no questions asked. Our contributions help ensure that dignity, access, and nourishment are always available, especially for those who might otherwise go without. It’s a small way we can show up consistently for our neighbours and deepen our commitment to food justice across HRM.