Growing vegetables in Canada's Arctic

Ben Canning grew up on a farm in Southern Ontario where he took fresh fruit and vegetables for granted. So when he found out that some kids in Canada, especially in the North, didn't have the same access he was heartbroken.

Aa an undergrad atRyerson Universityhe met fellow studentStefany Nieto and togetherthey startedGrowing North. The organization'smission isto grow fresh food in the Arctic.

Last summer they had their first major breakthrough: a greenhouse in Naujaat, Nunavut.InNaujaat, as in many northern communities, fresh produce is either unavailableor really, really expensive.

The greenhouse is part of an effort to change that. Grown vertically to maximize growing space, the greenhousebrings potatoes, carrots, beets and a range of other vegetables to locals.

TulimaakUaliyakAngotialuk is a student volunteerat the greenhouse. Hesaidhis favourite food from the greenhouse is kale, with the kale chips he can make being a personal favourite.

Canning's team did extensive outreach and surveys with the community of Naujaat andhad a 98 per centapproval rating for the greenhouse initiative going in.

Since getting the project off the ground, they've handed over the running of the greenhouse to locals. For sixmonths of theyear it produces food, but they're trying to get it to be productive year-round.

They're also currently in the planning stages for their second greenhouse, in another Arctic community.

Growing North is in the running for the Google Impact Challenge a competition that supports Canadian non-profits that tackle the world's biggest challenges.