Supporting our Community
We believe that a healthy community is built on a foundation of food security and mutual support. Through the years, our customers have joined us in raising over $150,000 for local initiatives.
$20k Matching Campaign 2026
Our $20k Matching Campaign was designed to double the impact of our customers’ generosity. This campaign remains a benchmark of what we can achieve when we work together. We deeply value the essential connection between food, health, and the wellbeing of our community. We love our city, we love our community, and we are proud to play our part!
Here is a closer look at the community organizations we are proud to stand behind:
Parkdale Food Centre (PFC)
Our relationship with the Parkdale Food Centre goes far beyond a simple donation. We believe in their “Mino’Pimatisiwin” (The Good Life) philosophy—the idea that everyone deserves access to high-quality, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food in a space that fosters dignity.
During the pandemic we partnered with them to to distribute over 10,00 meals to Shelters, Shut-in Seniors, Community Cupboards, Community Health Centres, and more throughout Ottawa. We continue to provide ongoing support for their grocery program and fight against food inequality through regular financial donations. The value of our impact has exceeded $115,000!
Centretown Community Food Centre 
Located a few blocks away in Centretown, the Centretown Food Community Centre (CCFC) is a vital lifeline for many. As the cost of living in the city rises, the demand for fresh, healthy options has never been higher. Our support helps the CCFC provide more than just shelf-stable goods. We contribute to their efforts to put high-quality fresh produce and proteins onto the tables of those who need it most. We are proud to provide over $2500 in monthly support to the CCFC over the past 3 years.
The Enright Fire Recovery Fund
Community isn’t just about those who eat our food—it’s also about the people who grow it. In July 2024, our long-time beef suppliers and dear friends at Enright Cattle Co. suffered a catastrophic fire at their family owned abattoir. This vital community resource served Enright as well as many small scale farmers throughout the region.
Within hours of the news, the Red Apron community mobilized. We knew that the Enright family represented the very best of local sustainable farming.
We successfully raised over $15,000 in emergency funds. This wasn’t just a financial contribution; it was a testament to the bond between chef, farmer, and consumer. We are proud to say Enright is still a cornerstone on our menu today, their resilience an inspiration to us all.
Our Community Mural
“Food is the ingredient that binds us together.”
The vibrant mural on the side of our Gladstone Avenue shop is a permanent love letter to the Ottawa Valley. Painted by the talented Claudia Salguero in collaboration with the children of Cambridge Street Public School, this mural is more than art—it is our mission statement in colour.
We Are Pollinators
Connecting the Ecosystem
Just as pollinators carry life between plants, the Red Apron carries the bounty of local farms to the tables of our customers. We act as the essential link between rural growers and city dwellers, ensuring our local food system remains fertile and resilient.
Sustaining the Community
Pollinators are the foundation of a healthy environment. By paying fair wages, sourcing sustainably, and feeding our neighbors, we pollinate our community with the nutrients and support it needs to thrive.
Inspiring Future Generations
The mural was painted with the help of students from the nearby Cambridge Public School, some of whom were seeing their own creative work on a public wall for the first time. For us, this represents the cross-pollination of ideas, art, and community spirit that makes Centretown such a special place to call home.
A Landmark of Hope
The mural serves as a daily reminder that we are all part of a larger, interconnected web. It stands as a Thank You to our community for allowing us to be a part of your kitchens and your lives. Next time you pass by, we invite you to stop, take a photo, and remember that when we work together to support local, we are all helping our community bloom.