At Hope Centre Ministries, we believe that every person possesses unique gifts that enrich our community. This isn’t just a sentiment; it’s the driving force behind everything we do, especially as we’ve embarked on a very ambitious project: The Raw Carrot Winnipeg.
For two years, this vision has been simmering, and today, July 17, 2025, we are absolutely thrilled to announce that our kitchen is officially open, and our first employees are on the job! The delicious aroma of purpose, dignity, and belonging is now filling the air in Winnipeg.
A Recipe for Change: What is The Raw Carrot?
The Raw Carrot is more than just a social enterprise; it’s a movement. Originating in Ontario in 2014, The Raw Carrot creates meaningful, paid employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to traditional employment, particularly those with disabilities. By producing small-batch gourmet soups and other delicious foods, The Raw Carrot offers the dignity of work and fosters a profound sense of belonging.
Hope Centre Ministries is incredibly proud to be launching the sixth Raw Carrot location in Canada, and the very first outside of Ontario! This partnership allows us to leverage over a decade of expertise, proven recipes, and operational strategies, providing a solid foundation for success right here in Winnipeg.
From Vision to Reality: A Two-Year Journey
The aroma of delicious soup filling our kitchen today is the culmination of two years of dedication, partnership, and prayer. It’s been an incredible journey, far longer than just this summer’s preparations. Here’s a glimpse of the milestones that brought us to this momentous day:
- Mission Alignment & Partnership: Our journey began with extensive conversations and a shared vision with The Raw Carrot Headquarters, ensuring our missions were perfectly aligned.
- Formalizing the Partnership: This led to the exciting step of signing an affiliate agreement, officially establishing The Raw Carrot Winnipeg as the first location outside of Ontario!
- Learning from the Best: Our team traveled to Ontario for intensive training with The Raw Carrot, learning their proven model and tasting all the delicious gourmet soups.
- Finding Our Kitchen Home: A crucial step was finding a church partner with an accessible commercial kitchen. We are deeply grateful that St. Peter’s Anglican Church answered that call, and we formalized our partnership agreement.
- Prayer & Fundraising: Underlying every step of this journey has been countless hours of prayer and dedicated fundraising, without which this vision would not have come to fruition.
This summer, the final pieces fell into place:
- Getting Kitchen-Ready: We’ve been busy with first aid training, health inspections, and setting up all our kitchen processes to ensure a safe and efficient environment.
- Hiring Our Incredible Team: Our multi-step hiring process, including interviews, skills assessments, training, and trial shifts, has allowed us to welcome our first cohort of employees who are starting their official cooking shifts today!
We’ve already cooked our very first pot of Carrot Ginger soup, and we’re also excited to be making The Better Batter pancake and waffle mix. Every product we create is a testament to the talent and dedication of our team.
Serving Up Dignity, One Bowl at a Time
Here’s what makes The Raw Carrot Winnipeg truly special:
100% of every soup packet sold will directly support employment for individuals facing barriers to employment. That’s right – two packets of soup equal one hour of meaningful work! When you purchase from The Raw Carrot, you’re not just getting a delicious meal; you’re investing in a person’s dignity, purpose, and future.
Our Heartfelt Thanks to Our Generous Partners
This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our community. We extend our deepest gratitude to our generous partners:
- Financial Partners: A huge thank you to Quad D Farms, The Winnipeg Foundation, and RBC for their vital financial contributions, which have been instrumental in getting us to this point.
- Church Partner: We are immensely grateful to St. Peter’s Anglican Church (755 Elm Street, Winnipeg) for generously providing their commercial kitchen. Their warm welcome and deep commitment to the community have given The Raw Carrot Winnipeg a wonderful home.
Join The Raw Carrot Winnipeg Community!
The soup isn’t for sale just yet, but the excitement is building, and we want you to be a part of it! By joining our growing community, you’ll be among the first to know when our delicious small-batch gourmet soups and pancake mix are available.
Here’s how you can connect with The Raw Carrot here in Winnipeg:
- Be a Taste-Tester & Get Exclusive Updates: Sign up for The Raw Carrot Soup Group to receive news, sales updates, and invitations to be a taste-tester. Be the first to try our delicious products and provide your valuable feedback!
- Be a “Souper” Volunteer: We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with kitchen shifts on Thursdays (9 AM – 12 PM and 1 PM – 4 PM, full-day options available). This is a fantastic way to contribute directly to our mission and witness the impact of meaningful work firsthand.
Interested in volunteering? Express your interest here.
Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and strengthen our community, one delicious bowl of soup at a time.
Can one bowl of soup help change the world? We believe so.
Be a “Souper” Volunteer: We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with kitchen shifts on Thursdays (9 AM – 12 PM and 1 PM – 4 PM, full-day options available). This is a fantastic way to contribute directly to our mission and witness the impact of meaningful work firsthand.
