Let’s get growing, Kingston! Loving Spoonful launches Urban Agriculture
This excerpt is from the Loving Spoonful newsletter. We’re sharing it with you because, though challenging to see at first, our individual health is intimately tied to the health of our community and environment. Supporting local programs such as this one is part of our mandate and responsibility to you.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the inequities and vulnerabilities in our food system – as well as the limitations of the “food charity” model for addressing food insecurity. Loving Spoonful has been thinking about these questions for a long time, since well before this current crisis:
how do we provide dignified access to healthy food for everyone? How do we rebuild a sense of community around food? How do we re-learn food skills that are rapidly disappearing? What does a just and equitable food system look like? How do we ensure that our community is resilient, sustainable and supportive – even when a crisis hits?
A BIG piece of this puzzle is making sure that we have a strong and diversified local food system. Our Fresh Food Access programs have always relied heavily on local farmers and gardeners to provide surplus healthy and nutritious food. In recent years, the Kingston Community Gardens Network has donated thousands of pounds of vegetables. In the City of Kingston and surrounding areas, there is an enormous, largely-untapped potential for food production.
In order to increase local food production and remove barriers to accessing fresh, local food, we are super excited to announce that we are launching a new Loving Spoonful program focused on Urban Agriculture! Ayla Fenton, who has been working part-time as our Gardens Coordinator for the past two years, is transitioning to a newly created full-time position as our Urban Agriculture Organizer. She will work to expand the Kingston Community Gardens Network, develop other urban agriculture projects, support gardeners with resources and education, and work with farmers to strengthen the local food system more broadly. Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates as new projects develop!
If you’re thinking that this sounds like a lot of work – you’re right! We need your help. Can you help to coordinate a new community garden? Do you own land that could be used by the community for food production? Are you a skilled gardener that would be willing to help teach newbies in your neighbourhood?
If you are looking for a way to give back to your community, and maybe even get your hands dirty while doing it, get in touch with Ayla at gardens@lovingspoonful.org. Spring time may seem far away, but it will come quickly so now is the time to start planning!”
