United they stand to fight hunger
It’s a perfect match to meet growing need for access to healthy food
Niagara Community Garden Network has a new partner in the field.
Starting Thursday its official ‘home’ will be United Way Niagara.
The plan is expected to help United Way meet clients’ increased need for access to food during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the garden network, it provides access to United Way’s wider web of community contacts and the chance to extend its own reach, plus administrative support.
“They have just such a broad-reaching community of supporters, they have such a high visibility and all kinds of resources,” said garden network program co-ordinator Erin Riseing in an interview.
Currently it oversees about 700 community gardens at roughly 40 sites across Niagara, many of them on municipal land such as parks or library grounds. Others are in schoolyards for students to learn from or on private property.
“Individuals or families would rent a plot for the season,” said Riseing. “The price can range from free to minimal, maybe $20 for the season.
“And they use that plot to grow food for their family, and we always encourage them to share their excess with neighbours or family or the local food banks.”
There has “absolutely” been a higher demand for garden plots during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
“We found that this spring everyone was so eager to garden … even the garden suppliers were selling out of everything like seeds and tools. The demand was kind of unforeseen.”
There are about 300 names on a waiting list hoping to be assigned a garden plot.
United Way hopes it can help grow the community garden program, which would lead to more of its food being made available for food banks and soup kitchens.
“With all the work we are doing to improve food security, it is a perfect fit,” said United Way Niagara executive director Frances Hallworth, in a release.
Riseing said the garden network holds sessions to teach people how to grow a good garden, on subjects that include how to start plants from seeds in the spring and making the best use of a garden space.
“We try to have those kinds of workshops,” she said. “And I think there’s going to be more opportunity for peer mentorships so I think we’re going to have local gardening experts and people in the field who can offer … one-on-one support to gardeners.”
One thing the garden network is always looking for is more room to garden, even if people set aside some space in their backyards. “We can do a lot even with just a little space.”
For more information, go to Niagaracommunitygardens.ca or email erin@niagaracommunitygardens.ca.