Who We Are?
Mission
To design sustainable, accessible and affordable food programs that deliver fresh, nutritious and culturally-appropriate meals to the most vulnerable populations facing food insecurity, especially children & youth and seniors.
Vision
To build a strong, resilient and sustainable food ecosystem that ensures equitable access and improves the health outcomes for everyone in Ottawa.
What Drives Us?
Affordability
Accessibility
Cultural Diversity
Sustainability
Our Building Blocs
Empathy
Caring
Equity
Dignity
Board of Directors
Abhijit Potdar
Founder and Director
Abhijit Potdar is the visionary force behind Nutrition Blocs, serving as its Founder and Chief Executive Officer. With over two decades of experience in the community food sector, Abhi has dedicated his career to addressing food insecurity and advocating for equitable access to nutritious meals.
When he immigrated to Canada in 2017, Abhi observed a gap in services: the disparity between the urgent need for wholesome, culturally relevant meals and the limited resources available to provide them at an affordable cost to those in need. Abhi, who had previously run a school food program in Boston (USA), was shocked to discover that Canada did not have a formal hot meal program as part of its education system.
Driven by his firm commitment to social justice and equity, Abhi is a tenacious relationship-builder and communicator, tirelessly advocating for those who may not have a voice at the table. His abilities in resource mapping while being intentional in preventing the duplication of services has significantly expanded opportunities within the sector. Ensuring maximum impact through collaboration is at the core of his relentless efforts in addressing food insecurity.
With a bold vision for a society where every individual has dignified access to nourishing meals, Abhi’s leadership has propelled Nutrition Blocs to the forefront of the fight against hunger. He believes that by creating meal programs for children in schools, we not only nourish their bodies but also their minds to flourish. Through his unwavering dedication and visionary approach, Abhi is transforming the landscape of food insecurity, one meal at a time.
You can reach Abhi at abhijit@nutritionblocs.org
Anupama Potdar
Co- Founder and Director
Anu is a vibrant and empathetic leader who embodies the values of compassion and service in every aspect of her life. Holding dual Master’s degrees in human resources and Indian Literature, she bring a deep understanding of both the human psyche and cultural nuances. She believes in the transformative power of caring and service, recognizing that these values are essential for creating a more compassionate and equitable world. For Anu, there is no greater calling than using her skills and knowledge to support the vulnerable and marginalized.
At the core of Anu’s passion lies the belief that access to good food and nutrition is a fundamental human right. She firmly believes that serving nutritious meals to people in need is not just a charitable act but the epitome of goodness and empathy. Whether through her work as a Recruitment Specialist with the Empowering Newcomer Women program at WorldSkills Employment Centre or as a co-host of a Bollywood Music Program on CKCU 93.1 FM, Anu is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others.
Driven by her unwavering commitment to service and her genuine concern for the well-being of those around her, Anu strives to create a world where everyone has access to the nourishment they need to thrive.
You can reach Anu at anu@nutritionblocs.org
Leo Doyle
Director
Leo Blaise Doyle is a retired federal public service executive and graduate of St Francis Xavier University and Carleton University. His public service career spanned more than 30 years and included over 5 years working on food security issues in isolated northern and Indigenous communities. That experience, and deep engagement in Ottawa youth basketball, inform his understanding of urban food security issues and the vulnerability of marginalized communities. His not-for-profit volunteerism is focused on aligning people, resources and experience to service his community at a local level.
Our Team
Karen Secord
Consultant - Communications and Development
Karen is a long-time social activist, changemaker, community developer and leader. For much of her life she has been dedicated to asking bold questions, employing her natural curiosity to inspire and innovate, and testing solutions geared towards better social outcomes. From childcare in rural communities to the role sport plays in mental health, the “social prescribing” of food and creation of youth entrepreneurial programming to encourage leadership in marginalized communities; Karen has always believed in the power of community to tackle complex social problems.
For over a decade, while forging a new path for the Parkdale Food Centre (PFC) in Ottawa, Karen had the great privilege to blend vision with courage, and instinct with compassion, creating strategic alliances and unlocking cross-sectoral solutions. It was important work that helped to change the way people thought, behaved and participated; together we learned about inequity and explored the deep seated impacts of poverty.
You can reach Karen at karen@nutritionblocs.org
Volunteers
Nutrition Blocs is supported by a team of dedicated volunteers who deeply care about their community and are concerned about the food inequities and insecurities faced by so many of our neighbours and friends. If you like to join our team of volunteers, please contact us
Contact Us
Our Programs
Contact Us
- +1 (819) 576-5852
- media@nutritionblocs.org
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