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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 1, 2014 | 20 New Food for Life leader looks to the next level by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Being the new executive director of Food for Life has brought all of Chris Roberts' passions together in one role. Roberts officially took the helm in March -- interim executive director Gayle Kabbash-Cruikshank had stepped in after the non-profit's former executive director Charlotte Redekop-Young stepped down to pursue a new challenge. "The staff has been fantastic, extremely supportive and helpful in the transition," he said. "I spent a day out on the trucks (during his first weeks) meeting some of our clients, program volunteers and that really cemented in my mind, why I came here." Food for Life collects surplus perishable food from grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants and the corporate food sector and delivers it for free to 50 community organizations in Halton and 46 outreach programs in lowincome neighbourhoods. But Roberts says there's much more to the organization than just the food aspect. "Food for Life is about educating, creating a sense of community and a K a r a s t a n A r e a sense of self-worth," he said. Blair Richardson, Food for Life board chair, says Roberts' leadership skills are exactly what the organization needs to move it through its plans for accelerated growth and program diversification. "He has the skills and experience to lead highly-motivated and welltrained teams, providing consistency in program management and dayto-day operations," Richardson said. "He possesses exceptional ability to build and nurture relationships with our stakeholders." Roberts, 50, has approximately 30 years in the food service operations industry, working at McMaster University, hotels, hospitals and most recently with Sodexo, a worldwide food service and facilities management organization. He led Sodexo Canada's engagement on corporate social responsibility and sat on the board for the charitable Sodexo Foundation for three years, leading some of its programs on fighting childhood hunger across the country. Roberts says he wants to take his new role at Food for Life and focus on its growth and plans to diversify its programs. · M i r a g e Food for life Executive Director Chris Roberts hangs out in the agency's refrigeration unit as he digs into his new role. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @ halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) While a community kitchen exists in Georgetown, Roberts says he hopes Food for Life will have four in place in Halton this year. "This program builds a sense of community among our clients as they work together in the kitchens preparing meals. It helps them gain skills, but it's also about networking and bonding with other people... empowering them and giving them confidence," he said. Meanwhile, Food for Life is exploring a diabetes initiative for its clients. Roberts says many of the organization's clients have health issues and diabetes is one of those that can be controlled by diet -- bringing it to the forefront. Food for Life will work in collaboration with Halton Healthcare Services and Feeding America, in the U.S., which already has a similar program in place. Roberts notes community gardens is another plan Food for Life wants to set in motion where its looking to support local farms and have them donate land so the nonprofit can use the food grown in its other programs. "Our goal here is to really make Halton's Food for Life a leader in this industry," Roberts said of the organization's future. "We want to provide some innovative solutions and programs, and really have other organizations throughout North America look to us for help and support. And that's really the goal -- to take this to the next level." R u g s H a r d w o o d Peerless Carpeting · Buyers Edge Guarantee · 200 Store Buying Power Persian Floors First CANADA CANADA Sale WOW Rugs VANTAGE BERBER CARPET* RICHMOND LAMINATE $ 2 INSTALLATION 29 PREMIUM UNDERPAD NO CHARGE* SQ. FT. · Peerless $ $ STARTING AT 2 19 SQ. FT. $2,500 IN FREE FLOORING EXCLUDES MIRAGE WIN UP TO Carpeting SOLID HARDWOOD MIRAGE STARTING AT 599 APRIL 11 - MAY 12, 2014 SQ. FT. SEMI-ANNUAL MIRAGE REBATE SALE* AREA UP TO PRICE RUGS 1/2 OR LESS M i r a g e H a rd w o o d · K a r a s t a n CLEARANCE *LIMITED TIME ONLY 50¢ 5X8 RUGS $ STARTING AT EARN A · 200 Store Buying Power REBATE PER SQ. FT. 99 SUPERSTORE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS ONLY: OPEN SUNDAYS 125 Cross Ave. TRAFALGAR VILLAGE, Oakville 905.849.4472 C a r p e t i n g · 228 KING ST. E. Hamilton 905-546-1921 P e r s i a n R u g s