Thank you so much for sharing your journey of experiences with us Anu!

Anu’s story from India to the US back to India and finally to Ottawa, Canada is a tale of people, culture and food.

We learned what it was like to leave her support system and move to a new country with no idea of what is happening around you. Could you imagine – leaving everything behind and not knowing how to manage your new life in your new home?

But as Anu shared, the key is to take one challenge at a time, and to always keep moving ahead.

When she and husband realized that living in the US was not working for them at the time, they made the decision to go back to India as it was the right move for their young family.

She consistently demonstrates the importance of self-awareness, and when they moved back to India they felt it was not the right place for them and made the decision to move to Canada. Like many immigrants, they chose Canada to provide a better opportunity for their family.

After she arrived her in Ottawa 6 years ago she went about to find her place and began adjusting to life as a newcomer. She was finding her place, integrating and adjusting.

With no connections nor resources, she found herself at a local community resource centre. She discovered a network of people focused on providing dignified solutions to food insecure people in the community. Once again she learned that food connects people, and it has no borders.

Even while working at her survival job, she was a dedicated volunteer who was committed to joining others in giving back and helping make a difference in the community.

Her passion to help others fueled the creation of Nutrition Blocs, a social enterprise whose mission it is to design, develop and deliver food programs that directly address food insecurity needs in our communities by increasing access to fresh, nutritious and culturally-appropriate meals to all Ottawans. This is like a second child for Anu and her husband, Abhijit Potdar.

Anu is most proud of being to set an example for her son and the next generation of newcomers. Her advice – never give up, and at the same time be rooted.

We share a love of the Rumi quote – that which you are seeking is seeking you, and she embodies another favourite quote from Ghandi – be the change you wish you see in the world.

And if Anu’s volunteerism has whet your appetite for volunteering, some important organizations are included in the show notes.  

Anu really IS the change we all wish to see in the world, and I could not be happier that her journey has brought her and her family to Ottawa.

Thanks so much Anu for hanging out with us on the playground today, and I am looking forward to welcoming another fabulous mystery guest on the next episode.

Just a reminder to follow me on IG at puddlejumpcoaching001 and to check out @rockroadresuce for more information about Pie and Pumpkin and other wonderfully adoptable souls.

Until next time, be good, be kind and always be the change you wish to see in the world. See you on the playground again next week, when we will jump into the future together.

Home - Ottawa Food Bank

Help Feed Ottawa Families in Need I Donate or Volunteer - Food For Thought

Anupama (Anu) Potdar | LinkedIn

Nutrition Blocs

Founder and President of Food for Thought – Sylvain de Margerie

World Skills Employment Centre

Rocky Road Rescue