STATUS: ACTIVE
SOCIAL: @regenesis.utm
WEBSITE: https://regenesis.eco/
ADDRESS:
Mississauga, ON
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
The Regenesis Food Market provides students with fresh and affordable produce to help improve access to healthy food on campus. We run the food market every Thursday during the school year from 12:00-5:00 PM.
This is an initiative run at our other chapters as well including UofT Scarborough, UofT St.George, and York University (Keele Campus).
KEY CHALLENGES:
- We struggle with having a high traffic area during the fall/winter cold times as we are unable to sell produce in University buildings due to the restrictions of food on campus.
KEY SUCCESSES:
- We are continuing to expand our product selection as well as increasing the quantities of produce purchased weekly showing the great demand for more food choices on campus that are fresh and affordable to students and faculty.
- Future directions include:
- Grocery co-ops
- Expanded food centres
News Articles
SERVICES:
- Farmer’s market
- Affordable grocery program and store
TIMELINE
Origins of Regenesis
- 2007: Regenesis is founded in Toronto as a student-led environmental organization.
- 2009: Incorporated as a nonprofit; begins expanding to multiple campuses including U of T.
Food justice programming emerges
- Regenesis begins developing food-focused initiatives (markets, gardens, food centres) across campuses.
- Focus: affordable, local, sustainable food + student-led social enterprise.
Campus markets established
- Regenesis launches non-profit campus markets at U of T (St. George, UTM, UTSC).
- Model:
- Affordable produce sourced through FoodShare Toronto
- Sold at-cost or near-cost to students
- Markets become part of a broader ecosystem including:
- Free stores
- Community gardens
- Food education programs
Expansion
- Markets operate regularly as weekly or seasonal campus food access points
- Integrated into student union spaces and campus programming
- Reinforce goals:
- Food security
- Sustainability
- Student employment & leadership
Regenesis Food Market identity
- Branding shifts toward “Food Market” / “Campus Market” / “Farmers’ Market”
- Regular operations include:
- Fresh produce
- Snacks / baked goods
- Low-cost groceries
- Example: UTM weekly market selling affordable food sourced via FoodShare
Active multi-campus markets + programming
- Markets continue at:
- St. George
- Mississauga
- Scarborough
- Events like Community Days at Regenesis Farmers’ Market engage volunteers and students
Ongoing operations
- Markets still running regularly (e.g., weekly produce markets at UTM