Small community garden plots were on the list of desired features at Meaford Haven for many of our virtual focus group respondents . But in Meaford, community gardening opportunities abound.

Three years ago, a group of citizens created Meaford’s first community garden at Georgian Bay Secondary School (GBSS), with the goal of education and developing the skills required to produce quality, fresh, locally-grown foods and encouraging people to enjoy it as part of their everyday diet.

Transition Meaford, Golden Town Outreach (GTO) and the students and teachers at GBSS collaborated on the project, and a year later they opened up space for private gardeners to grow their own food along with food for the GTO Foodbank. Then, in 2013, two new gardens cropped up: the “Village Green” at Victoria Village and another at the Church of the Nazarene, where GTO’s Foodbank is located. The expansion included raised beds, a tree nursery, a communal tomato patch and rhubarb. And that year, the group also received a Spark advocacy grant from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

“There are so many advantages to be shared,” says the group’s Bill Monahan. “Food security, building a community spirit, healthy exercise for all participants. On top of that, it’s a fun thing to do and it gets people outdoors.”

The group is looking for interest and participation from Meaford residents. “But it’s about people, not money. We’re looking for enthusiastic citizens who want to be part of the dynamic and rewarding effort to localize food production so that fresh, organic produce is available to everyone.” To get involved, contact Jaden Calvert at jaden@mail.uoguelph.ca or at 519.538.0628.

The Meaford Community Gardens Market will continue to run on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene on Trowbridge Street until the produce is gone.