Coco Cafe has launched a free meal program for those struggling to put food on the table. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

stepping up

‘It chokes me up:’ beloved Cedar cafe offers free meals to those in need

Nov 22, 2023 | 5:32 AM

CEDAR — A group of dedicated workers dealing with their own struggles are stepping up to help those having trouble making ends meet.

Coco Cafe general manager Marc Taschereau said their staff, mostly comprised of people with diverse abilities, are donating their time and money to support a new initiative called ‘Food for Friends and Families.’

He said several people have already taken advantage of the program launched this week where receipts of pre-paid meals are placed on a wall facing the front till.

“Come on in, grab one of the receipts, bring it up to the front till, we’ll make the food for them, sit down and have a meal on us,” Taschereau told NanaimoNewsNOW at the cafe.

A board with pre-paid receipts are ready to be claimed as part of Coco Cafe’s new Food for Friends and Families program. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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He said their staff of 25 employees, most of which have diverse abilities, fully supports the new initiative.

“It chokes me up because these are people who don’t have a lot, but they recognize the support that they have gotten from the community and for them to share what little they have to give back, that to me is just so profound.”

He said Food for Friends and Families, available through the holiday season, comes at a perfect time with affordability crisis impacting more people.

Complementary meals are paired with a drink, such as the Coco Cafe’s various popular coffees under the program.

Coco Cafe general manager Marc Taschereau is a regular fixture at the popular Cedar cafe. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In addition to Food for Friends and Families making an early impact, Taschereau said efforts are underway to hand out in-house prepared takeaway meals in the weeks ahead.

“We’re working with some of the local grocers to be able to expand this and actually provide pre-prepared meals for families during the holidays.”

Coco Cafe, like many businesses in the restaurant sector, struggled to remain sustainable in the post COVDI-19 era.

Following a prolonged shutdown during the height of COVID restrictions, the valued non-profit organization closed for about two months earlier this year to redefine how it served its employees and customers.

A paired down breakfast and lunch menu was implemented, while Taschereau said a continuous commitment to placing workers in a wider variety of roles was made to expand their skill-sets.

However, due to popular demand, Taschereau said some popular items dashed from the menu re-appear weekly.

“We’ve brought things back things like our breakfast bowls and our eggs bennies, a bunch of specials, specifically for the weekends for people who’ve loved that and miss it.”

Previously open seven days a week, COCO Cafe is currently open Tuesday through Saturday’s from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

COCO Cafe is located at the Village Square shopping complex at 1840 Cedar Rd.

Taschereau emphasized important contributions from Nanaimo Association of Community Living and a generous anonymous donor for their integral ongoing support of Coco Cafe.

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