Prevention is better than a cure.
We are an Ontario registered non-profit that works downstream to create practical community-based interventions to address health disparities, and upstream to advocate for systems change & policy reform.
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Our mission to ensure better health outcomes for food bank clients with diabetes. Bridge Health Collaborative partners with food security organizations to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact. Our main focus is empowering clients with chronic lifestyle-based health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and/or obesity, by providing access to health-appropriate food options and culturally inclusive education.
We are from
the community,
by the community,
for the community.
Our story
Bridge Health Collaborative was born out of a response to systemic inequities. It was inspired by our mother's health story. In our adolescence, our mother developed Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Since we relied on food banks growing up, the association between food insecurity and disease became clear. This intersection of low-income and long-term health decline is one that is chronically under-served. Millions of Canadians are entering into the healthcare system on an assembly line from disease incidence to progression to cardiovascular death. Our goal is to disrupt this assembly line and transform the health outcomes of families who grew up like us.
Think about the food you get at a food bank- highly processed, high-carb, canned and dry foods. Imagine if that was your only source of food? How do you live a healthy life when the foods that are meant to keep you alive is making you sicker? As daughters of an immigrant single mother and caregivers in our own community, we saw how managing conditions like diabetes wasn’t just difficult—it was almost impossible without the proper resources, support, or access to nutritious food. We understand that food insecurity isn’t just about hunger—it’s about health.
Overwhelming research shows:
2.4
Million Canadians are living below Canada’s Official Poverty Line
4.9x
more risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in food insecure households
95%
Of all diabetes cases are Type 2
593
Million people worldwide are expected to be affected by diabetes in 2035
OUR PILLARS
We believe in meeting people where they are.
Education
Accessible knowledge translation and dissemination to empower health management.
Whole Foods Access
A selection of health appropriate foods that are low-medium in glycemic index, high in fibre.
Culturally Inclusive Support
Dedicated staff to help navigate the health care system and resources.
CONTACT
Let’s connect!
Whether you are interested in our program, becoming a volunteer, forming a partnership or just want to connect, please submit the form and we will respond shortly.
