Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Collingwood Community Gardens.

Established in 2005, the Collingwood Community Gardens (just east of Joyce-Collingwood Skytrain Station) are maintained by a dedicated group of local residents.

For a fee of $20 per year, community members grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers in their individual plots. They also contribute community service hours by tending a public food border (shared with the whole neighbourhood), central plant beds, a butterfly-attracting flower border, and the nearby Native Berry Trail.

The Community Garden is supported by partnerships with Translink, Community Policing, and Collingwood Neighbourhood House. This year the Gardens received a large donation of Sea Soil to help the plants along. Sea Soil is a composted fish and forest fines soil from Vancouver Island. It's a great local product that helps divert waste and is rich in nutrients.

One of the community garden plots is tended by a group of students from Focus Foundation BC. Focus Foundation is a local alternative school that focuses on reaching and teaching high-risk youth. While at the garden, the students are led by teacher (and horticulturalist) Mike D..

Another community garden plot is rented by Collingwood Neighbourhood House and is maintained by volunteers. This year, local residents (and Mayan farmers) Maximo and Francesca are tending the CNH plot. Some produce will be sold at farmers' markets, and some will be donated to the Families Branching Out dinner program. Maximo and Francesca are also very involved with the Maya Garden at UBC Farm.

Families Branching Out dinners are for local families with children 0-6; FBO Monday dinners are free and a great place to meet new friends and try new foods. For more information, contact Nancy S.

Community garden plots are full for this year, but if you are interested in joining the waiting list for the 2010 gardening season, please contact Stephanie.

Here are some photos of the Community Gardeners in action: