Searching for Grow / Pick Your Own Food

Program to encourage donation of fresh food to local food banks

Program offers garden plots to anyone who can benefit by growing their own fresh fruits and vegetables.

Composed of volunteers dedicated to working together to manifest a garden for the community grounded in ecological principles

• Each of the gardens is a work in progress

St. Joseph's Community Garden offers plots of land to individuals, families, and groups who want to grow their own organic vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs

• The plots are rented for a small user fee
• Upkeep of the garden site is a shared responsibility of all participants

Gardening plots available on city-owned land facing Elmwood Street at Bowling Green Apartments

• gardeners maintain large composter
• two accessible garden beds

Neighbourhood-run community garden on municipal lands

• roughly 40-50 plots available

Community centre

• gymnasium
• program and meeting rooms
• community kitchen
• community office space
• sound room
• Rideau Heights Library Branch (see separate record for details)
• skate park
• Ontario Works drop in
• various recreation programs, see Program Guide for details

Administrative services:

• Kingston Transit pass sales (multi-ride cards only)
• blue bin and grey bin pickup
• garbage bag tag sales
• recreation services
• pet licensing

Housing and social services:

• walk-in inquiries about Housing & Social Services programs
• apply for the Municipal Fee Assistance Program (MFAP)
• drop-off for forms, income statements and documents

See City of Kingston website for latest updates

COVID19 Response

• Most trips will be done using participants own vehicles.
• Only adults allowed to pick at this time (no children)
• Workshops temporarily on hold

Regular Service
Organizes free trips for low income people to pick farm produce that is offered by participating farmers/growers.

• Farmers/growers donate their extra produce that would otherwise go unused
• Registered participants ride a school bus from one of over 20 pick-up locations to a local farm and pick seasonal fruits and vegetables at no cost
• Because produce ripens quickly, gleaning trips are usually organized on short notice
• Local faith communities pay for buses, some gleaning trips are organized with cars driven by gleaners to smaller farms
• Also holds educational workshops

A Tree for the Picking - urban gleaning program involving private property owners in the city that have offered the produce from their fruit trees and gardens

Community volunteers are welcome to help coordinate a bus pick up location, monitor bus loads and/or pick for other community members or food banks. Student volunteers are welcome to complete their OSSD hours. Contact the coordinator

Works to create community gardening plots. Collaborative members include Peterborough Public Health, YWCA Food Action Program, and Peterborough Green-Up.

• Advocates for community gardens as a means of food security, community building and environmental awareness
• Accepts donations of land, seeds and gardening tools
• Assists individuals who are interested in having a community garden plot

Public library

• offers books, magazines and other publications, CDs, DVDs
• provides programs for preschools
• Book Club
• Internet access
• photocopying, fax and printing services available at cost
• rental of snow shoes, basketballs, outdoor play equipment, etc.
• seed library

Programs:

• Conducts an annual fundraising campaign supporting several vital agencies and programs.
• Works to reduce food insecurity in the area.
• Operates a Community Garden program with more than 110 plots that has harvested over 12,700 pounds of produce to be donated to food banks and community organizations.
  As an education site, the garden provides hands-on learning for Fleming College's Sustainable Agriculture program and hosts a co-op student from this program each year. Curriculum-based programming is also designed for elementary and secondary students.

Speakers are available for community and service groups.

Supports and creates activities at a household level that will engage the public in the issues of clean safe water to drink, clean safe food to eat, clean safe air to breathe and a clean safe place to live for all.

Major goal is to have many community gardens so everyone is within walking distance of a garden.

Good Food Bank: 3-5 day supply of fresh food and pantry staples for individuals and families, available once a month. Food bank accepts food donations.

Community Meals: Healthy dinners for the community.

Peer Advocacy: Support, referrals and resources to community members seeking help with housing, income support, etc. Offer help process applications for low-income supports for energy bills including the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP). No appointment necessary.

After-School Program: Free after-school program which provides hands-on fun in the garden and kitchen where children 8-11 years old learn to grow and cook healthy food. Activities also include physical activity, games and art. Pre-registration is required.

Community Kitchen: Offers a range of cooking, nutrition and health programs. Some programs are drop-in, others by registration. Call or visit website for current program schedule.

Community Garden: Participants take home vegetables and learn how to grow healthy food, connect with others in a welcoming space and enjoy the outdoor setting. Hosts a series of monthly gardening workshops throughout the winter as well as work parties in early spring and fall.

Community Action Network: Discussions of current events, community issues and how to create change in the community, organize local actions to address poverty and food access. Lunch is provided.

Volunteers: Volunteer opportunities available that are open to everyone. Offer an array of shifts to fit any schedule.

COVID19 - Visit website or call for current information


Children's Day Camps

• regional summer camps and summer day camp experience at the Salvation Army at 570 Thornton Rd N

Community Garden - SUSPENDED for 2022 due to renovations

• seasonal program
• garden space, seeds and instruction
• share experience and garden responsibilities, reap the harvest

Emergency Disaster Services

• assists with food, clothing, counselling and various resources in emergency situations
• work in cooperation with Fire and Police services

Tax Clinic

• no cost seasonal income tax clinic to low income individuals and families

Community garden projects throughout Durham Region * support and mentor garden projects in Durham Region * community plots, plots for rent * grow food to donate to agencies * various workshops for gardeners * annual garden tours, education days * You Grow Durham Fund to help new gardens starting up * How to Start Community Garden Workshop (annual workshop), excursions, urban agriculture research, encourage urban agriculture entrepreneurs

Table Talks (varied Durham locations check website for details www.durhamdigs.ca)

Talks centre around food-related topics of importance in the community

Pick your own orchard * apples and pumpkins available for picking in season * picnic area, corn and straw mazes, see sheep and llamas * gourds and ornamental corn * school tours available

COVID19 - Market and Pick Your Own open * visit farm animals * wear mask while on farm and in market * playground, wagon rides, forest trail activities, group tours and educational programs are suspended


Farm Market and family countryside activities * pick your own fruit and vegetables * October Harvest Festival, farm animals * group and school tours, birthday parties * Christmas trees

COVID19 - Visit website and social media for updates, and virtual programs and events


Poverty reduction foundation * enhanced food security and education for self reliance

Community Development Program includes The Maple Tree Community Garden, seasonal Night Market, Seed Library, and Table Talks

Social Supports Program includes information and referrals to services such as housing, income support, and mental health, brief solution focused counselling, and drop-in sessions (see separate listing)

Women's Services * referrals to emergency services, emergency clothing/household items, and assistance with transportation to a shelter

COVID19 - Suspended until further notice

Programs to learn, socialize and enjoy food

• weekly community lunches
• food processing
• What's Cooking educational classes
• private workshops
• Dining Club, Baking Club/Preserving Club
• 'Dine for a Cause' gala fundraiser dinners

Emergency food hampers to those in need

• hampers are about five days worth of food
• deliveries available for those without access to transportation

Community Gardens:

• support and access to community gardens in Carleton Place, Pakenham and Blakeney

Community access services, community engagement, food security programs, Financial Advocacy and Problem-Solving (FEPS) program, seniors programs and youth programs

Food Security Programs -- community gardens * cooking clubs * trips to local farms

Financial Empowerment and Problem-Solving (FEPS) program -- financial literacy workshops, seasonal income tax clinic, mobile community financial worker

Community Access Services -- internet access, fax, photocopiers, holiday gift partnership

Youth Programs -- outreach worker youth 12-21 yrs

• Youth Violence Prevention 12-24 yrs
• peer mentors for 13-18 yrs
• after school drop-in and homework club
• cooking program
• summer break programs for 7-12 yrs

Seniors Programs -- social, recreation and educational programs

Programs include

• weekly pick-up Meal Program - hot meal at 25 Axsmith Cres, North York
• virtual cooking classes - participants will get groceries delivered to their home or an e-gift card will be provided to do the shopping
• food workshops and trainings
• community garden with 147 plots available to residents who lives in the M2J postal code

Information about potential health risks in the home, workplace and community * bring about changes through information materials, workshops and community action

Programs include:

• Assisted Bike Repair Clinic - free drop-in clinic to help repair bicycles
• Healthy Housing and Tenant Rights - RentSafe to address housing-related health risks affecting tenants living on low income
• Community Planning - residents meet with government and local planning officials, as well as industry and elected representatives, to share information and concerns about environmental issues in South Riverdale
• Children's Environmental Health Education - education about substances that may put children's health at risk
• School and Community Gardens
• Gardening

Community programs offering healthy, accessible and sustainable food and related education and assistance

Seeds for Change (Urban Agriculture)

• community gardens
• workshops for growing and processing food, urban agriculture development

Good Food Box -- fresh produce for purchase

Community Breakfast -- drop in to help prepare then enjoy free breakfast with other community members

Community Cooks -- food safety knowledge and skills for food shopping, preparation and storage through hands-on training in commercial kitchen