By Bill Carriere, Member, Food Action Group
A short while back I read a very encouraging article that informed me that more and more Canadians are buying their food locally – over 50% of Canadians are doing that. My excitement with that was linked to the fact that local food is far more likely to be fresh, produced by Canadian farmers and growers, supporting the local economy, increasing local food security while decreasing food miles that depend on fossil fuels. Additionally, if the food is bought at a farmer’s market or a market stall, there is the direct engagement between the seller, often the farmer, grower or producer and the buyer and that often leads to chats and exchanges and frequently some laughs – feel good moments all-round.
I’m a member of Transition Cornwall+ Food Action Group. The fact that more Canadians were buying food locally got me thinking. What if more Canadians began growing and/or sharing some of their own garden crops….and that growing involved doing it with other people – neighbours, friends or likeminded people (who likely will become friends from the experience of growing food together)?
The following are just ways that could happen:
Share a Plot
Not everyone has garden space to put in a medium to large garden, but often someone on a street does. If you happen to be that person with space for a garden, consider speaking with some of your neighbours or friends about working the garden together, sharing the work, the produce and any costs associated with doing so. Gardening together not only gets the work done, but can be great fun, including getting kids involved.
Share the Crop
With a bit of planning, friends or neighbours could collectively grow a large variety and amount of vegetables, fruits and nuts using space in each of the individual gardens the friends or neighbours have. One friend/neighbour may grow root crops, another may grow beans, peas and tomatoes, a third grows leafy vegetable like lettuce, kale and parsley. Hey, it doesn’t take a lot of space to grow enough corn for the gang to get a few good feeds! The sky is the limit as to what can be grown and shared. Think fruit trees and berries! Once the crop is ready to be harvested the sharing can begin, perhaps getting together certain days of the week to do the local backyard “shopping” and “swapping”. BTW, having individual gardens doesn’t eliminate the possibility that friends or neighbours share work and time together in the individual gardens – build some fun into it!
Make it a Street Activity
Consider canvassing your neighbourhood block to propose the idea that all living on the block join in. Be bold, put a sign on your front lawn asking your neighbours if they would like to join you in growing or sharing veggies this growing season! Bet you’ll get a good response if you do.
Okay, I was asked to write an article not a book, so I have to wrap it up. I hope this article gets you thinking. Transition Cornwall+ Food Action Group wants to help you if you decide you’d like to give this a go. Come to our booth at the Seedy Saturday event at the Benson Centre on March 14th and have a chat with us. Join us at our Incredible Edible Plant Festival at Lamoureux Park on May 30th and get some free plants and veggie seeds from us. Finally, check out our Transition Cornwall + website: Transitioncornwall.com
Happy gardening!
Photos are by Kat Rendek (garden plot)
and Susan Towndrow (basket of veggies and the pear tree)
About the Author
