Community Garden Project Produced a Bountiful Harvest

​The City of Vaughan, in partnership with Seeds For Change and the York Region Food Network, recently celebrated the seasonal end of the Growing to Give community garden pilot project at Vaughan Fire Station #7-1. 

 

The Fall Family Fiesta event on October 13 marked the successful closing of the two-year project, which gave residents an opportunity to grow their own vegetables at the fire station and donate part of what they grew to community agencies or families in need.

 

“The Growing to Give project has been a tremendous success thanks to the efforts of local residents, volunteers, the business community and City staff,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “This garden has been a living example of the City’s commitment to sustainability and healthy living, with benefits that have extended to the greater community.”

 

This year, approximately 32 volunteers – aged 3 to 80 – harvested more than 175 pounds of vegetables, from basil and beans to carrots and cucumber. The two-year pilot project also had many residents take part in free workshops about gardening and cooking. Seeds For Change, a grassroots community organization that encourages healthier communities through school and community gardens, provided a coordinator to manage many of the day-to-day activities at the garden, while York Region Food Network participated as project advisor.

 

“In addition to the dedication of volunteers, the strength of this project relies heavily on support from our local business community, which made a number of in-kind donations to the cost of building and maintaining the community garden over the past two years,” said City Manager Clayton Harris. “I would also like to thank the efforts of City staff for bringing the initial idea forward and taking a hands-on approach to improving our environment.”

 

Jacob Dabit, a Vaughan firefighter, was recognized with the Green Award by Mr. Harris for championing the community garden project at Fire Station #7-1. The City of Vaughan is currently looking at ways to continue the program at the fire station. 

 

 

Mayor Bevilacqua and Lynne Koss of Seeds for Change.