We asked ourselves: What if the things we already have—our food, our time, and our skills—were enough to take better care of each other?
The Green Bean Collective is a people-powered effort in Durham Region.
We rescue and redistribute surplus food, and create welcoming spaces for people to gather, learn, and connect.
In building a reciprocal local economy where people exchange time and skills instead of money, we are strengthening networks of care and food security in our region.
Our Mission
To nurture resilient, connected communities by redistributing surplus food, sharing skills, and making it easier for neighbours to connect with & help one another.
Vision
A future where:
Good food doesn’t go to waste
Help is normal and reciprocal
Community care is built into daily life
Local abundance is noticed, valued, and shared
People feel less alone, more capable, and more connected to where they live
Co-Founders
Heather O’Shea
As an advocate for food security and community care, Heather champions local, sustainable solutions that strengthen resilience and nurture belonging.
She is an experienced teacher, community builder, gardener, forager, and sourdough baker, driven by a belief in the power of connection, reciprocity, and practical action.
With a deep respect for both people and the land — she invites others to join her in cultivating community, sharing skills, and making life a little more connected.
Maria Keller
Maria grew up in PEI where community and food were never separate things. Now a mom of four in Durham Region, she co-founded the Green Bean Collective out of a simple conviction: we don’t just have a food problem, we have a village problem. What started as pandemic-era gardening with her kids grew into something bigger: a belief that building community takes courage, that both offering and asking for help are brave acts, and that the right systems make both easier. She invites you to show up, share what you have, and help to build the village we all need.