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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Local Food Production

As a community we need to support our local farmers in the development of sustainable farming practices and support the development of food access programs such as community gardens, farmers’ markets and produce stands. As consumers we should seek out local farmers markets and/or buy locally grown seasonal food in order to cut down on the environmental costs associated with transporting produce to our community from a great distance.

Food security also includes being able to make a living by growing and producing food in ways that protect and support both the land, sea and the food producers, and that in turn will help ensure that there will be healthy food for our children’s children. The way that we now produce and process food cannot support a sustainable food system. We need to encourage a way of producing food that will last well into the future and ensure that our children’s children have all the food they need.

Gardens are of great benefit to both the gardener and helping develop sustainability. You can start with something small like planting a container garden. Or you can go for something bigger like preparing a spot in your backyard for a vegetable garden. Planting a small garden is good for you and for the earth. If you do not have a backyard (apartments) then perhaps taking part in the local community garden might benefit you.

A community Garden allows for the exchange of ideas, the sharing of gardening tips and provides varying levels of expertise. Growing your own food is a great method to build food security in our communities, promote active living and encouraging people of all ages and abiliities to work outdoors.

A community garden is an inexpensive way for people to work together to grow their own food. Community gardens are usually located in neighbourhoods where people can drop by and participate. The community garden in Amherst is located just off Veno Avenue across the street from Dickey Park. This land was donated by a community member.

The Amherst Community Garden can also be seen as poverty action at the local level. It produces fresh food and provides food security for those that grow their own food and for those that grow food and then share it with the local food bank.

If you are interested in becoming part of the Amherst Community Garden Project please feel free to contact me so I can arrange for you to have a garden plot to grow your own food.

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