On June 12th, we joined The Daniels Corporation, our long-standing client and partner in crafting Ontario’s urban fabric, in celebrating one of Toronto’s preeminent events Second Harvest’s Toronto Taste. After a couple of years of hiatus, the Toronto Taste came out with a bang, complete sensory overload, loads of delectable foods and a huge success. The Daniels rose to support the event, rounding up its 25th year of sponsorship. Daniels has been a leader and forerunner in endorsing cultural, social and sustainable causes and events pertaining to local landscape and economy. We were thrilled to be in the company of a giant whose interests and endeavours intersect with ours.
KIRKOR’s platform has been to align with clients and partners whose ideologies are alike. Social, economic and environmental sustainability constitute our significant initiatives and interests, so being part of groups that promote similar goals delight and inspire us. The economy of support and cultural investments connect us today more than ever. Second Harvest and Daniels are both leaders in paralleling their work with what is a current necessity locally and globally. As architects and designers, we come in to help create spaces where ideals can manifest or provide sponsorship for activities that appease the masses while promoting an ideal, like Toronto Taste. The food issue is a chronic and real problem, and we are reminded of it daily, especially lately with soaring inflation and economic imbalances. Food insecurities among vulnerable groups are something we shouldn’t forget. Thus the Toronto Taste can and should be viewed as a prescription for supporting local, being ingenious and prudent in the kitchen, and thinking about sustainability not only as a singular solution focused on select industries but as a multiplicity achievable by all. And above all, the food, specifically the perishable and surplus type-food is a social phenomenon and crisis, so when organizations like Second Harvest work to redirect it to thousands of charities and non-profits across the country to provide millions of Canadians experiencing food insecurity access to the nourishment they need, we help.
Placemaking and context are often notions we must address in our designs. Second Harvest’s Toronto Taste sure gave us something to think about, particularly when dwelling on these terms. Food is a quintessential placemaking deed—the kitchen and hearth are the ultimate gathering, connecting, interacting, intersecting, sharing and places where love and support simply happen. We will design with these notions in mind. Being able to provision for organizations that strive to make it happen for everyone is beyond an act of design. It is an act of community. That is a cause we get behind any time.
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