FOOD WEBKitchens
About Food Web

Building the digital infrastructure for local food.

Food Web started with a simple idea: what if finding and sharing kitchen space was as easy as booking a room online? Our platform connects small food businesses with kitchens to rent — and as we grow, we're expanding beyond kitchens to map and strengthen the wider food system that supports them.

Photo of Lil Macpherson
Advisor

Lil Macpherson

Founder of the Wooden Monkey

Photo of Andrew Burgell
Advisor

Andrew Burgel

Advisor

Photo of Rebecca Tran
Advisor

Rebecca Tran

Cofounder of the Station Food Hub

Photo of James Woods
Advisor

James Woods

Advisor

Our Mission

Food Web is on a mission to make it easier for everyone working in food, from farmers and chefs to nonprofits and community organizers, to do what they do best.

Easier to rent kitchens, easier to find information, and easier to connect with the people and organizations that make local food possible. We believe strong food systems start with connection, and our goal is to build the tools that make those connections simple, accessible, and lasting.

Our Vision

Our vision is a future where local food economies are thriving. Where grocery store shelves are lined with locally made products, strong regional supply chains keep food moving, and food insecurity is a thing of the past.

A system where farmers, makers, and food entrepreneurs can start and grow businesses with ease, supported by collaboration, shared infrastructure, and the tools they need for success.

Our story

It began with a challenge that came full circle.

7 years before Food Web existed, our founder, Justin Andrews, started a small food business in Halifax called Muffin Man Enterprises. He was baking muffins for a local farmers market and was ready to grow, but when he tried to find a licensed kitchen to rent part-time, every door seemed to close.

That experience eventually led Justin back to school to study sustainability and the broader food system. What he discovered through research and interviews was that his story wasn't unique. Food entrepreneurs, caterers, and small producers were running into the same barrier: without access to affordable, part-time kitchen space, their businesses couldn't grow.

In 2023, Justin teamed up with longtime friend and software developer, Keegan Francis, and together they brought the idea for Food Web to Dal Innovates' Lab2Market Launch program, where it was accepted for development. That moment marked the beginning of Food Web: a platform built to make sure no one has to give up on their dream because they can't find a place to cook.

Our journey started with lived experience, and it continues with a mission: to unlock underused kitchens, connect communities, and make local food entrepreneurship possible for everyone across North America.

Our founders

The founders who started Food Web.

Meet the founders who started Food Web and are building the future of food system connectivity.

Picture of Justin Andrews

Justin Andrews

CEO | Founder

My journey began in the kitchen, working as a chef for 6 years. I have worked across fine dining, catering, and even cooking for 800+ people in the Costa Rican jungle. I have worked on farms, at markets, and have a deep hands-on understanding of food. But I knew I wanted to go deeper. in 2018 I returned to Dalhousie University to complete a Sustainability degree,, and have since worked in research, community engagement, and non-profits, where I saw even more of the cracks in our food system firsthand.

From starting a new community garden to leading research initiatives for Farmers Markets of Nova Scotia, my experience has spanned nearly every sector of food. I have worked in kitchens, on farms and started a new farmers market. And I have realized one thing: there is a serious disconnect between the people growing our food, the organizations regulating it, and the communities consuming it. Food Web was born from this understanding. As CEO, I have built the company to bridge those gaps. With over a decade of experience in food systems, sustainability, consulting, and research, I now focus on empowering local food networks, using a hands-on, inclusive approach.

My goal? To connect people, amplify diverse voices, and create solutions that bring real change to the food ecosystem. Because in the end, we are not just building systems, we are building communities.

Picture of Keegan Francis

Keegan Francis

CTO | Founder

Keegan brings over a decade of experience in software engineering and startups, with much of his background in FinTech. His journey with Food Web began during the COVID-19 pandemic when he and Justin, long-time friends, started hanging out more often. Through their conversations, Justin opened Keegans eyes to the deeper issues in the food system, and Keegan had a realization: "you cant eat money."

After spending years helping startups in the financial world, Keegan was inspired to shift some of his focus toward something more tangible—supporting the growth of local food systems. Now as CTO, Keegan uses his technical expertise to build the infrastructure that powers Food Web. With his background in entrepreneurship, project management, and solutions architecture, Keegan ensures that the platform connects people and resources in ways that strengthen local food networks and create real impact.

Our advisory board

The trusted advisors shaping our strategy.

Our Advisory Board brings together experience in food, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and tech. These trusted advisors help us shape strategy and stay aligned with the needs of our users.

Photo of Lil Macpherson

Lil Macpherson

Founder of the Wooden Monkey

A local food pioneer and co-owner of The Wooden Monkey restaurants in Dartmouth and Halifax, Lil McPherson has been advocating for sustainable, local food systems since long before it was popular. Her passion for supporting local farms began in the aftermath of a storm in the early 2000s, when she recognized the vulnerabilities of our food system and the importance of resilience. Justin, our founder, had the privilege of working at The Wooden Monkey early in his career, making Lils involvement in FoodWeb both meaningful and inspiring.

Photo of Andrew Burgell

Andrew Burgel

Advisor

As the Director of the College of Sustainability at Dalhousie University and one of Justin's former professors, Andrew Burgell brings a wealth of knowledge in sustainability and finance. His background equips him with a unique perspective on the intersection of business, governance, and environmental systems, providing strategic guidance as Food Web grows.

Photo of Rebecca Tran

Rebecca Tran

Cofounder of the Station Food Hub

Rebecca Tran is the co-founder of the Station Food Hub, a social-purpose business in Newport Station, Nova Scotia. With a mission to reduce food waste and support local food businesses, Rebecca has demonstrated the transformative potential of food innovation. Her expertise in food processing, product development, and community collaboration is a powerful asset to Food Web's vision.

Photo of James Woods

James Woods

Advisor

James Woods is a seasoned product leader and technologist with over two decades of experience building and scaling innovative software products and games. As a former product executive turned indie game developer, James combines deep strategic insight with hands-on technical expertise, bridging vision and execution for startups and enterprise teams alike.

Our ecosystem

Rooted in collaboration.

Our work has been shaped by the support, trust, and partnership of organizations, communities, and individuals who share our vision for a stronger, more connected local food system. From early supporters and collaborators to clients and pilot partners, each has helped us build the foundation for what Food Web is today.

Feed Nova Scotia logo
Farmers Market of Nova Scotia logo
Dalhousie College of Sustainability Logo
Volta Logo
Lab 2 Market Logo
restaurant association of nova scotia logo
digital nova scotia logo
Reachability Logo

Get in touch.

We'd love to hear from you — and if you want the latest updates, news, and insights from Food Web, subscribe to our newsletter.