Newcomers dig into common ground at North End garden

A garden in the North End is bringing together Winnipeggers from all over the world.

The Garden of Nations as it's called offers 32 garden plots to 15 newcomer families in the North End. It's run by William Whyte Residents Association and Food Matters Manitoba, an organization that lobbies for access to healthy, affordable food in the province.

On Tuesday the gardeners are celebrating the bountywith a community harvest dinner in the North End.

• Garden of Nations offers Winnipeg newcomers a place to grow together

The farmers, all new to Canada,are from places like Myanmar, the Congo and Bhutan.

Co-ordinator Amy Hendersonsaid the program offers a way for newcomers to grow fresh, traditional foods, while working on their English and meeting other families.

"It all came together," she said."Their kids are coming here, picking a bean on a plant and saying that it reminds them of home. It's really special for them."

Until this year, families in the North End were travelling outside the city and as far as the south end for access to plots where they could grow vegetables.

"We were hearing from a lot of families that they were coming to Canada and they were having a really tough time eating their healthy, traditional foods here," Henderson said.

Travelling long distances, especially for large families without vehicles of their own, was a challenge for parents, she said. That sparked an idea to bring the fresh food closer, to within walking distance of people's homes.

Organizerstransformed an empty plot of land near the North Centennial Recreation Centre into the garden. For their first growing year, Henderson said she couldn't be happier with this summer'sharvest.

Most of the boxes are overflowing with lush greens, plump beans and ruby red tomatoes. There are gourds growing everywherebut not just for the squash. Pumpkin leaves turn out to be a populargreen used in African cooking.

"They're always exchanging recipes and learning from each other about the plants that they're growing," said Henderson.

Excitement around the project seems to be growing just as fast and strongas the squash vines.

"One ofthe most important benefits of this garden is the social aspect," said Henderson."A place they can go and feel at home."

There's already a waitinglist for next summer and there are plans to expand the project to other parts of the North End, she said.

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