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The GARDENS is providing food security in South Etobicoke - Barsa Kelly Co-op

Residents of Barsa Kelly Cari-Can Cooperative Homes recently held their gardening party for a good cause.

On May 21, they gathered for a planting party at Barsa Kelly Cari-Can Co-op Homes in south Etobicoke to plant various vegetables, fruits and herb seedlings in fourteen planters of varying height. Barsa Kelly Cari-Can Co-op is one of the ten organizational partners that have joined the GARDENS Pod Project in 2016. The project comes from the idea of a community garden, except the pods are smaller, mobile, raised beds that are easier to maintain. The goal is to use the harvest from the planters to improve food security in South Etobicoke with participating organizations giving a minimum of 50% or more back into the community.

Under direction of the GARDENS Advisory Committee and community partners - LAMP Community Health Centre and Humber College – residents (including adults and children) from Barsa Kelly Cari-Can Co-op and nearby cooperatives as well as community volunteers rallied together to plant 300 seedlings from strawberries, cabbages and tomatoes to oregano, chive, cucumbers and peppers to name a few.

“By growing this Garden Pod, we get to know each other, we learn, we share and, we build community. Today, we see the results of working together and how in a few short hours we transformed empty space into a beautiful, green and nourishing place. At Harvest time, this Garden Pod will continue to benefit many as a portion of the produce will be shared with others.” – Sandra Van, LAMP CHC and The GARDENS Co- Chair.

Other organizational pods can be found throughout South Etobicoke, including at the Long Branch Toronto Public Library, Humber College Fashion Institute, St. Leo’s Catholic School, Lakeshore Lodge, Marguerite Butt Early Learning and Child Care Centre, Thomas Berry Early Learning and Child Care Centre, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics and LAMP Community Health Centre with Haven on the Queensway to be added soon.

If you are interested in volunteering and learning more about the project – visit the GARDENS website http://www.gardenslakeshore.ca/