Cambridge community garden grows produce for local food bank

One Cambridge food bank is getting a boost this summer and fall thankstoorganic produce grown at a patch of land on Blair Road in Cambridge.

The15,000-square-foot plot cared for bythe Rare Charitable Research Reserve has already produced 630 kg of food for the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank. Organizers admit that's not quite an accurate pictureas a lot of that produce includes light greens like lettuce and kale which don't weigh very much, but are very nutritious.

But the heavy harvest is yet to come from the largest community garden in the city, as the potatoes, beets and onions are still in the ground and tomatoes on the vine are still green.

'A wonderful treat for families'

Pat Singleton, the executive director of the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank, says the produce being grown is a wonderful treat for families who use the food bank.

"When I used to walk into the emergency food room you would see empty shelves, or maybe not very much [food], Singleton said. " Now to walk in and see produce is absolutely amazing. You know green beans, lettuce and things that are expensive for our families.

The food bank garden is possible because of a partnership between Rare and the food bank along with volunteers and the United Way. They also receive support from the Colour Paradise Greenhouse who donated 1,250 plants.

Garden in every neighbourhood

Also located at the Blair Road site is a demonstration garden where summer camps are held for young students to learn where food comes from and a community garden where 110 families have rented plots of land to grow their own produce.

"Community gardens can be adapted to every community, every community need, they come in every size. They can do so much for the community. I think it's thrilling,"Siobhan Bonisteel, Local Gardens and Local Food Projects Coordinator said."

The Community Garden Council of Waterloo Region website shows at least 80 locations in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge and the townships where people can rent a plot of land for the season.

Taryn WoodnoteSaberwing, is the Property, Facilities,and Garden Coordinator at Rare. She saidthe garden has become her labour of love.

"It is so rewarding to work so hard all season long and now we get to take truckloads of produce down to the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank, which is a very busy place unfortunately. But knowing it's well received and going to good homes is very satisfying for me," WoodnoteSaberwing said.

The Community Garden Council of Waterloo Region hopes to expand the growth of garden plots in the coming years.

LISTEN to the interview with on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition