Where Fresh Food Meets Local Purpose
When you walk into Café 4 Good in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, it feels warm, friendly and inviting. That’s the feeling I got, even before my interview there. It’s a place where you can grab a quick coffee/tea and snack to-go. Or stay awhile and enjoy a drink and a delicious meal.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Lisa Vezeau-Allen, Founder of Employment 4 Good. It operates two enterprising projects, Café 4 Good and Grocer 4 Good. She shared that “Employment 4 Good is a social enterprise and registered charity, whose purpose is to provide accessible, low-barrier employment and skill-building opportunities for community members experiencing barriers.”
The Story Behind Grocer 4 Good
Lisa further explained that “Grocer 4 Good was our first project. Opening in March of 2020, we knew a grocery store in the downtown area would fill a void and that lack of paid employment opportunities for those with disabilities and the chronically underemployed was a gap that needed to be filled. With the model of a grocery store, it stocks regular grocery store items, including fresh produce, dairy products, baked goods and snacks. It provides paid employment, as well as volunteer opportunities. Grocer 4 Good is also a hub for its community/teaching kitchen, offering meals to those who are food insecure and a community pantry. Everyone is welcome to shop at Grocer 4 Good for all their grocery needs. Cash, debit, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted. Gift cards are also offered.”
Fresh Bites & Friendly Faces at Café 4 Good
In November 2024, they opened Café 4 Good. The building where the café is was in derelict condition, and everything needed to be built back up from the studs. It took a year, but with a great deal of help from community supporters, their landlord and a grant from the federal government, along with hard work and imagination, they opened their doors, offering a unique café experience to the downtown core.
Café 4 Good employs youth with a focus on positive skill building, community connection and establishing healthy habits. Under the watchful eye of Manager Rachel Silvo, the café has become a community space for everyone. With the advice of a volunteer chef and input from volunteers and staff, the menu is unique and always changing; everything is freshly made in-house, from scratch. On today’s menu, there is a “Brekkie Burrito” (scrambled eggs or tofu, roasted tomatoes, bacon or coconut bacon, cheese and mayo) or how about a “Breakfast Bowl” (roasted tomatoes, home fries, scrambled eggs and sausage), as well as granola and fruit, scones, soup of the day, sandwiches, like “Spicy Chicken Wrap” or a “Pesto Chicken Sandwich” (fresh baked focaccia, house made pesto, roasted red pepper mayo, roasted tomato, roasted chicken breast, romaine lettuce.)
Eat-in or take out is welcome, along with grab-and-go meals in the freezer. Café 4 Good has become a popular spot to source catered food. “We have had several neighbouring businesses come in to order catering for their meetings and get-togethers,” mentioned Lisa. The catering menu includes sandwiches & wraps, hummus & veggie trays, quiche, fruit salads, scones, baking trays and more. “We also do wedding and event catering, offering smart serve staff. We also rent out the space for private functions.”
Beyond the Plate: Community Events & Local Sourcing
As mentioned, while the café offers delicious food and beverages, it has become a welcoming community space, offering Queer Coffee on Thursday evenings, Drawing Club on Friday evenings, and Loop Sessions on Saturday afternoons.
What both of these enterprises bring to the downtown area and to visitors and locals alike is a convenient place to buy groceries as well as a perfect spot to enjoy a beverage and a delicious meal. Both have made a point to use or stock food items from locally sourced businesses, including Sweetened, Hogan’s Homestead, Lock City Dairies, Georgie’s Shawarma, Bloom Kombucha, Bread Hag, El Canasto Latin Market and Pluck Teas.
Growing the Future & Removing Barriers
What is next? “We are partnering with Clean North and will be installing a community garden on property next to Grocer 4 Good. The produce grown will be offered for sale in the store and used in recipes at Café 4 Good.” I asked Lisa about the staff and how these social enterprises have made a difference to them. “Some have moved on to post-secondary school, others on to other gainful employment. With their new skills, barriers definitely have come down.”
Employment 4 Good has made and is continuing to make a big positive impact in the community, with their employees and their volunteers. What a wonderful story, and I look forward to keeping up to date on all the Good!
Café 4 Good
326 Queen St. East, Sault Ste. Marie
PH: (705) 257-9929
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Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Wednesday & Friday: 9 am – 4 pm
Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 3 pm
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Grocer 4 Good
147 Gore Street, Sault Ste. Marie
PH: (705) 255-0445
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Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 11 am – 5 pm
Saturday: 11 am – 4 pm
Sunday: Closed
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About the Author
Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Sandra has been a freelance marketing consultant, for more than 30 years working all over Ontario. Over that time she developed her passion for food and agriculture while working with farmers, producers, farmers’ markets, retailers, and restaurateurs. She believes that food brings people together and should be celebrated. In her spare time, Sandra is an active community volunteer and loves to explore area lakes in her kayak and spend time at her cottage on the North Channel of Lake Huron.
