Niagara Community Garden Hubs Thrive, Boost Local Food Security

The community garden hubs in Niagara are experiencing a successful year, providing vital access to fresh produce for individuals facing food insecurity. United Way Niagara and Start Me Up Niagara collectively reported a harvest of over 17,000 kilograms of produce last year, which was distributed to food banks and community markets throughout the region. However, the total harvest is expected to decline this year following the end of United Way’s partnership with the Vineland community garden hub located at 4300 Victoria Ave. Instead, the organization is focusing on a new collaboration with Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, which is set to expand its community garden initiatives in the coming year.

Luke Baulk, manager of the community garden hub at United Way, emphasized the success of the college’s garden, stating that it has outperformed the Vineland location in terms of yield per square foot. “We had a lot of success at the college with the class collaborations,” Baulk noted. The operational shift was driven by a desire to invest resources into areas that are yielding better results.

During the growing season, Baulk and a team of volunteers harvest produce two to three times per week, collecting between 34 kilograms and 90 kilograms from the 260 square meters of growing space. While the tomato crop experienced a late start this year, production quickly increased once they began to ripen. The timing of deliveries to community agencies also plays a crucial role in managing the harvest effectively.

Growing in raised garden beds has allowed for better control over soil composition and nutrient levels, leading to a higher yield compared to traditional ground soil. Baulk explained that managing weed pressure is significantly easier in raised beds, further enhancing productivity. The college garden hub employs vertical farming techniques, which not only increase yields but also minimize the risk of disease and reduce the chances of larger fruits rotting on the ground.

“Natural climbing plants such as peas, beans, and hardy crops like tomatoes and squash are ideal for vertical farming,” Baulk advised. In cooler seasons, snap peas and snow peas thrive, while the summer months are suitable for growing squash, cucumbers, and pole beans.

Start Me Up Niagara (SMUN) has also adapted its growing methods this year. A cooler-than-normal spring delayed the planting season, but manager Russ Moore reported that their harvest is ahead of last year’s totals. As of the end of this week, the two-acre (0.8-hectare) plot at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has yielded approximately 6,803 kilograms of food. Moore attributed this success to the research centre’s generosity in allowing the team to harvest some of their crops.

“The demand for fresh produce remains high across the Niagara region,” Moore said, noting that the food has been delivered to most local food banks. “The food banks appreciate our contributions because much of what they receive can be unfit for consumption by the time it reaches them.”

Baulk and Niagara College are also working on initiatives to divert food waste, aiming to reduce the amount of food that ends up in landfills. “There’s an immediate need to address hunger today, but we must also invest in long-term solutions to food insecurity, which includes education and training in sustainable food production,” he stated.

The collaborative efforts between United Way Niagara, Start Me Up Niagara, and Niagara College highlight a commitment to enhancing food security through community-driven initiatives, illustrating the importance of local agriculture in addressing hunger and promoting sustainability in the Niagara region.