Backyard Garden Program provides over 10,000 lbs of produce to Brampton residents in need
Published October 20, 2020 at 5:18 pm
Today (October 20), the City of Brampton announced that its Backyard Garden Program is now complete, with over 10,000 lbs of produce donated to residents in need from April to October 2020.
The Backyard Garden Program, chaired by City Councillor Doug Whillans and facilitated by the City’s Parks Maintenance and Forestry division, launched on April 15.
It was the first program of its kind in Canada in response to COVID-19 and is an extension of the existing Community Gardens program.
The program provided food resources for the Mayor’s COVID-19 Social Support Task Force, which facilitates necessary social supports for Brampton’s vulnerable communities.
The program, which was open to all Brampton residents, supplied them with soil, packages of seeds, and growing advice for their new gardens.
From April to October, residents grew their own backyard gardens.
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While some kept their harvest, others donated to local food banks and community organizations, including the Knights Table, Regeneration, Khalsa Aid and United Sikhs.
Additionally, this eco-friendly initiative encouraged residents to stay active during COVID-19 and supported the mental health of Brampton residents by providing an at-home activity.
It was also a great opportunity for first-time gardeners to learn more about gardening and try out a new hobby.
The City of Brampton thanks its supporters Scotts, Mattamy Homes, Paradise Developments, TACC Holborn Corporation and Fieldgate Developments for making this program possible.
Within three days of the program launch, 6,000 residents had registered and over 45 volunteers worked 490 hours to assist with delivering free seeds to participants.
Staff and volunteers delivered a total of 3,057 yards of bulk soil, 8,553 bags of soil and 15,162 packets of seeds to participants.
“We saw an incredible response to the Backyard Garden Program and Councillor Whillans’s leadership, and we’re proud to have championed this initiative in Brampton as the first of its kind in Canada, inspiring cities near and far,” said Mayor Patrick Brown.
“The COVID-19 Social Support Task Force provided the necessary food supports to vulnerable Brampton residents through Knights Table and Regen during a difficult time, and everyone who grew and donated produce alleviated pressure on our food banks, supported our environment, and made us all proud.”
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