KAWARTHA LAKES-Good things are growing at Edwin Binney’s Community Garden in Lindsay.
So far this summer it has already yielded over 1,000 pounds of food for local organizations and food programs.The garden is located on Crayola Canada’s property in Lindsay. It is only in its second year of production and with the help of Fleming College’s Department of Sustainable Agriculture, has projected a 40% increase from last year’s yield of 5,500 pounds.
This year has posed unique challenges for the community agriculture project and the team has had to find new ways to reach individuals who may be isolated due to COVID-19, explains Mallory Cramp-Waldinsperger, Projects and Communications Coordinator of UWCKL. “With the support of the City of Kawartha Lakes Social Services department, we have been able to reach out to our neighbours at two social housing locations with our “Fresh Produce Friday” pilot project. This program provides a free market table of locally grown produce to seniors and members of our community who may be vulnerable to isolation.”
In addition, the community garden has collaborated with Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes to deliver a free monthly produce bag to 90 of Community Care’s clients. “Agency partnerships are critical to help people immediately in tough and unusual times,” writes Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director of UWCKL.
“Edwin Binney’s Community Garden has many partners with each contributing and dovetailing to bring knowledge, land, access to products and the opportunity to bring fresh produce to kitchen tables. This is an agricultural and education project that is building sustainable practices and partnerships,” she adds.
