Growing interest
Tatamagouche Foodland cuts big cheque for new school’s community garden
A $30,000 contribution from a local grocer will be used to create a community garden at the new Tatamagouche Regional Academy.
“I’m hoping to one day have it where students can sell the product down at the market,” said principal Brian Holmes. “Whatever product that may be. So we’re looking at a long-term vision.”
But Holmes said that vision also includes using the garden as a teaching venue in such areas as science, health and entrepreneurship.
“Gardens are great for things like therapy for students, as well,” he said.
e concept for a community garden was born out of a desire to both continue and expand on the edible schoolyard program employed at the former elementary school, Holmes said.
Established through the help of community and parent volunteers, the program involved the use of 10 raised beds, which meant every class had a bed in which to grow vegetables. They would fertilize and plant with the help of parents and volunteers who would also help water and look after the beds.
e students would harvest the produce times and Holmes said items were used in the school’s Breakfast Program or at celebratory lunches.
Holmes said he spoke with Foodland owners Darren and Sherry Schriver more than a year ago about how they could collaborate on developing a healthy garden. e intention was to educate students and demonstrate the value of growing their own food in a sustainable way.
“Research has shown the bene ts of schools growing their own vegetables and fruit and it makes sense to continue this,” Holmes said.
With the extra space available at the new school, a plan was hatched to hold 50/50 draws through Foodland with the idea of expanding on the former garden program to include all students right up to Grade 12.
After 40 weeks of draws, the effort had raised $25,000 profit. Schriver and his wife Sherry then made a corporate contribution of a further $5,000.
“Well, Foodland being in the grocery business, this is a huge opportunity for students to learn more about health and proper eating and the future of where we need to go,” he said. “So we really felt that this being around food and garden and all that natural lifestyle, it was just a t with us trying to work with local communities and vendors… to provide that healthy alternative.”
e garden is to be created in a space at the rear of the school. It is to consist of a greenhouse, raised beds, benches and walkway and will be fenced to keep out animals.
“I thought it was a great initiative,” said store manager Sarah Huston. “It just suited what our goals are as far as community togetherness.”
And that is what the store is all about – community togetherness, healthy eating, and putting out food awareness in general, she said.
“So it really fit well with our goals.”
Planning for the garden’s design and construction is to take place over the winter with planting to begin next spring.
“Essentially, that’s like a little compound that’s accessible to the community,” Holmes added. “I want the community to be able to manage it. But I want the school to be able to use it during the days.”