EAT. LEARN. GROW.
The Equi-table Consortium is dedicated to becoming the transformative solution for reimagining food services at Concordia University. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, we are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable, and equitable food solutions tailored to the diverse Concordia community. Born from decades of student advocacy for a locally-sourced and community-driven food service model, Equi-table is poised to lead a new era of ethical food service on campus.
Key Features
Not-for-profit Social Enterprise
Equi-table operates as a not-for-profit, prioritizing community benefit over profits, ensuring that its food services align with values of social responsibility and sustainability.
Industry Expert Operated
Equi-table is managed by experienced food industry professionals, combining operational excellence with a deep commitment to sustainability and community values.
Endorsed by Students & the Campus Community
Equi-table, formerly the New Food Enterprise, has earned widespread support from Concordia students and faculty, rooted in decades of advocacy for a community-centered, sustainable food service model.
Profits & Resources Reinvested Locally
Equi-table reinvests all profits back into the local economy, supporting local producers, creating jobs, and strengthening Montreal’s food systems.
What's the Goal? Local Control!
As we aim to secure Concordia's multi-year food services contract, valued at $5 million annually, our mission is clear: to provide expertly prepared meals that prioritize local and ethical sourcing, reduce our carbon footprint, and foster fair labor practices. Profits from our operations will be reinvested into the local economy, reinforcing our commitment to a circular, community-driven approach.
Endorsed by students and supported by a network of over 20 local producers, we envision Concordia becoming a beacon of sustainable and socially just food service. Join us on this journey to create a food system that nourishes not only our bodies but our community as a whole.
Core Values
HOSPITALITY
Delivering high-quality, expertly prepared meals that reflect and celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds of the Concordia community.
EQUITY
Promoting fair and transparent labor practices, accessible services, and inclusive, community-led governance to ensure everyone benefits from the food system.
SUSTAINABILITY
Prioritizing local and ethical sourcing, reducing the environmental impact through a low carbon footprint, and striving for top AASHE STARS sustainability ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The project founders bring decades of experience in value chain coordination, backed by established relationships with local producers. Following the success of the Diversity model, which sourced up to 80% from local purveyors, we’ve confirmed that the greater Montreal area has sufficient supply to meet the same goals.
We will prioritize working with hyper-local groups like CultivAction and Hamidou as much as possible. Additionally, we’re creating a position on our Advisory Council for a Local Value Chain expert to help finalize these partnerships and ensure strong producer engagement.
We are also incorporating tools developed by Lori Stahlbrand to make it easier for smaller-scale producers to collaborate with us, such as using "infrastructure of the middle" strategies like creating institutional-scale Growing Agreements (similar to CSA models).
In the context of the Equi-table Consortium, "community-led" means that decision-making and operations are grounded in the input and leadership of the people directly impacted by the food service model. Rather than following a traditional corporate structure where profits and decisions are centralized, a community-led approach prioritizes the voices of students, workers, local producers, and other stakeholders.
These groups play an active role in shaping how the food services are designed, managed, and executed. It means that decisions related to sourcing, pricing, and labor practices are co-determined by the people who will benefit directly from the service, ensuring that Concordia’s sustainability, nutrition, and equity goals are at the forefront.
By engaging the community directly and integrating their feedback into both governance and day-to-day operations, the consortium creates a more resilient and inclusive model that aligns with Concordia’s long-standing values of sustainability, equity, and collaboration.
Students have been at the heart of the movement to transform food services at Concordia for decades, advocating for a shift away from multinational corporations in favor of community-driven, sustainable models. Their efforts have led to the establishment of the Equi-table Consortium, which seeks to embody the values of sustainability, equity, and local sourcing that students have long championed.
Students will actively shape and support the food system through internships, co-ops, and volunteer roles, contributing to operations like value chain coordination, marketing, and community outreach. This hands-on involvement provides practical experience in social enterprise and sustainability.
Additionally, Equi-table will prioritize student needs by ensuring that their feedback influences key decisions related to the quality, affordability, and sustainability of the food offerings. Through ongoing collaboration with student groups and organizations, Equi-table will create a food system that reflects the values and priorities of the Concordia community.
Our approach will provide more variety, more nutritious options, and greater value for each dollar spent. By transforming seasonal harvest products in-house, we can offer top-quality meals at prices comparable to conventional providers.
While rising food inflation makes it difficult to predict exact prices in 2026, the cost of food is closely tied to its production. With Equi-Table being a nonprofit, the typical industry gross profit margin of up to 75%—which would go to shareholders—will instead be reinvested. This means either lower prices for consumers or better value for both consumers and workers.
Current Partners & Contributors
Concordia Food Coalition (CFC): Providing comprehensive food value chain research, governance strategy, and social and financial capital. Instrumental in supporting the start-up of 4 on-campus food distribution points with sales of approximately $700,000 per year.
Concordia Student Union (CSU): Providing governance strategy and social and financial capital. Over 50 years of experience in campus and student services. $5M annual revenues.
SEIZE: Providing strategic guidance and social economy expertise and business development support.
Ian Vickers, formerly of Diversity Food Services (DFS): A model and award-winning university food service partner from the University of Winnipeg. The consultant provided industry, financial, and operational expertise.
Interested in becoming a Consortium Partner?
The Equi-Table Consortium is seeking partnership with value-aligned food service providers and community food system experts to co-construct a community-led venture to bid on Concordia University’s multi-million dollar food services contract.