Mes Amis Catering’s Accessible Community Eatery

Be a part of building our new, brighter future here at Mes Amis. We're taking a big step towards expanding our catering services, our community eatery, and our accessible employment opportunities!

Since Ruth Anne started delivering baked goods across the city on her bicycle in 2014, Mes Amis has gradually expanded, and we've made tons of great friends and business partners along the way. We started in a downtown apartment kitchen with nothing but a commitment to accessible food and more than a little stubbornness; out of our fabulous new digs at the Hamilton Farmer's Market, we now employ five core staff members and bring in dozens of other folks from the community where possible.

Now, we are prepared to take our biggest step forward yet. We have an opportunity to open a vibrant and accessible eatery in the Market, building on both our company's past work and the exciting food developments in the Market and across the city. We'll be introducing delicious crepes and arepas sure to brighten up any lunchtime! As a result, we'll also be upgrading some of the same equipment we use for the catering services that put us on the map, allowing us to take on more jobs, bigger jobs, and expand the products we already offer to great Hamilton businesses such as The Mustard Seed and Cafe Oranje.

Interested in chipping in? Here's why you should:

Mes Amis is a People-Centered Business. We're dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment for people of all needs. We prioritize making our workplace accessible to folks who face a range of barriers, particularly those related to mental health, while making that work meaningful and empowering.

Mes Amis Believes in Good Food. We'll admit it, we're obsessed with making food that's good for you and good for the planet. Our kitchen is 100% gluten free, we always offer hearty and tasty vegetarian and vegan options, and we source every thing we can locally, building great relationships along the way.

Mes Amis is Good for Hamilton. When you support Mes Amis Catering, you not only get great food handed right back to you; you get to know that your money is being immediately reinvested into our community. We source from fellow Market vendors wherever possible. We provide educational opportunities to local youth, including food literacy, curriculum, and kitchen cooking opportunities. And finally, your purchases go to establishing an accessible and supportive work environment for adults with mental health concerns.

There's Something in it For You. Another reason to support our campaign, there's tons of fun rewards!

The Details:

We need at least $15,000 to help us purchase new equipment and launch the eatery.

Specifically the equipment we need is: a commercial dishwasher; a commercial oven; larger sinks; new shelving; and, of course, a new and reliable coffee grinder to keep us awake. This equipment will also allow us to increase the capacity of our catering, wholesale and education departments. We'll be able to work more efficiently, with more people, on more tasks at once.

We have needs specific to the eatery as well. We need packaging supplies, dishes, napkins, and a hundred other small items an eatery requires. We need to upgrade our furniture, since we want to create a space that's accessible on both sides of the counter. And most importantly, we need the tools and equipment to make our delicious crepes and arepas!

Other ways to support us:

Stop in & say hi. Stay for a cup of coffee. We're always thankful to see a friendly face. Knowing that we have your support is essential to being able to keep moving forward. Ideas; time; connections; words of wisdom - they're all welcome.

SHARE. SHARE. SHARE. Help us reach further than our immediate network.

Join us for the Eatery Launch Party Saturday, October 14th, 12 - 4pm.

Send us a photo of your dog. It just helps with everything, you know?

THANKS!