Vancouver, B.C. – A longstanding Vancouver social enterprise is beginning a new chapter with Coast Mental Health. Potluck Catering has been acquired by Coast and will now operate as Potluck Catering: A Coast Social Enterprise.  

For 25 years, Potluck has brought people together through food while creating supportive employment opportunities in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Joining Coast will help build on that legacy, bringing together Potluck’s established catering operation, experienced team and strong community relationships with Coast’s commitment to helping people living with mental illness find meaningful opportunities to work, learn and connect.  

The addition of Potluck strengthens Coast’s social enterprise programs and creates opportunities to expand employment-based recovery. Coast currently operates social enterprises and employment programs including the Transitional Employment Program (TEP) and Landscaping with Heart.  

As part of this next chapter, Social Crust’s catering services and customers will transition to Potluck, bringing Coast’s catering operations together under one business. The Social Crust walk-up cafe closed on October 30, allowing Coast to focus on growing its catering business and creating more meaningful employment opportunities.  

Social Crust has played an important role in Coast’s social enterprise journey, demonstrating how meaningful employment can support recovery, build confidence and strengthen community connections. Its success has helped create the foundation for this next phase of growth.  

“Potluck has a proud history of bringing people together through food and creating employment opportunities in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. We believe people living with mental illness can thrive when they have access to housing, support and opportunities to work, learn and connect. Expanding our catering business through Potluck will create more meaningful employment, with every catering order supporting people on their recovery journey,” said Keir Macdonald, CEO of Coast Mental Health.  

Potluck will continue serving existing customers, who can expect the same high-quality food, reliable service and community-focused approach that have made the business a trusted name across Metro Vancouver.  

Coast Mental Health is grateful to Vancity and Community Impact Real Estate Society (CIRES) for their support and commitment to community-based social enterprise, helping create the conditions for Potluck’s continued success and future growth. 

For more information, contact us at media@coastmentalhealth.com.