WINNIPEG’S KIRSTIE BROOKS RECEIVES EARTH’S OWN PLANT PROJECT GRANT TO OPEN WINNIPEG’S FIRST PLANT-BASED FOOD TRUCK
More than 200 applicants submitted ideas on how to support a shift to plant-based eating; Brooks is one of four grant recipients across Canada
September 22, 2020 [Vancouver, BC] - Plant-based brand Earth’s Own announced today that Winnipeg’s Kirstie Brooks - and, more specifically, her soon-to-be-launched food truck Bright Side Kitchen - is one of the company’s inaugural “Plant Project”. Through the Plant Project program, Earth’s Own is providing funding and support to groups and organizations across Canada working to fight climate change by sparking a shift to plant-based eating.
A proud vegan since 2011, Brooks had always wanted to find a way to combine her environmental activism with her deep passion for community engagement. She came up with the idea of Bright Side Kitchen, which will be Winnipeg’s first entirely plant-based food truck, as a way to make plant-based food more accessible across Winnipeg, and as a hub for bringing together like-minded Winnipegers.
Brooks is currently working on refurbishing the truck and finalizing the menu, which will rely heavily on the use of produce from local farms. With the support of Earth’s Own, they’re aiming to hit the streets in Spring of 2021.
“I am so thrilled that Bright Side Kitchen has been selected as an Earth’s Own Plant Project” says Brooks. “Bright Side Kitchen is about seeing the positive side of things. I have always wanted to show Winnipegers that plant-based is really about compassion, with a side of delicious food. With this grant, I am able to introduce people to plant-based eating and help educate them on the fact that this is bigger than just food, it’s about supporting a movement, and ultimately saving our planet.”
Earth’s Own launched the Plant Project program earlier this year, making funding available to anyone across Canada - from individuals to national charities - with a good idea on how to encourage more people to eat more plants.
“At Earth’s Own, we’re on a bold mission to change the world. We know that the planet can’t sustain our current eating habits, and that adopting a plant-based diet is the biggest thing we can do as individuals to fight climate change,” says Brittany Hull, Director of Marketing at Earth’s Own. “But we also know that we can’t make the kind of wholescale change the world needs alone - that’s why we’re so thrilled to be able to help support the amazing work being done by plant pioneers like Kirstie.”
More than 200 groups and individuals submitted Plant Project applications. Final selections were made by a judging panel that included members of the Earth’s Own team and plant-based advocate and Plant Project ambassador Erin Ireland. Other 2020 Plant Project recipients include:
- Lettuce Harvest, an East Vancouver-based non-profit that pairs yard space donated by community members with local volunteer support to redefine the typical community garden experience.
- La Ronge, Saskatchewan high school teacher Cruise Slater, who will use the grant to purchase a hydroponic growing tower, helping his environmentally-motivated students grow their own food despite their community’s extreme climate.
- Vancouver’s Eat the Dishes, a zero waste, plant-based food stand that offers creamy soups, chilis and delicious desserts all served in freshly baked, naturally seasoned edible bread cups.
“We have been blown away by the response to this program. It’s been so inspirational to see the innovative plant-based thinking being done across Canada by forward-thinking and enterprising Canadians working to save our planet,” says Hull. “Now comes the fun part: seeing how our support can propel these organizations and grow the plant-based movement here in Canada.”
The call-for-entries for the 2021 Plant Project program will be released next spring.
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Avery Smith