OASIS was designed through a human rights lens for vulnerable communities.
By tapping into the assets of the community and the efficiencies of the model, OASIS is able to provide organic nutritious and culturally relevant foods at affordable prices.
Through food and compost sales, OASIS generates revenue that it is able to put back into the food hub bringing savings to our co-op members. We also use an innovative volunteer management system called Timebanking to track and value volunteer time in credits, which can then be exchanged for produce and services.
In a pilot phase of OASIS in St. James Town, Toronto, we worked with local farmers to bring urban community member labour to the farm, and then to sell food for part time-credits, part money. Timebanking not only makes food more accessible, but also animates a community economic-support network where co-op members and the public can access recreational and educational classes and services offered from other members.