Thursday, September 27, 2012

Pumpkin Harvest Festival

This Saturday, September 29th, swing by the Grey Avenue Community Gardens for our 1st Annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival! The event runs 11 - 2pm.

We've invited the neighbourhood (and you too!) for live music, chili lunch, harvest kid's games, crafts, hot drinks and of course - PUMPKINS! The event will be relaxed, folky and fun, so stop by with your family for a lovely afternoon. But remember - the lunch is first come, first serve, so I'd come early!

 All proceeds raised from pumpkin sales will go directly back into the community gardens project. 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Newspaper Digging in to Community Gardens

On Monday, this wonderful article was published in the Moose Jaw Times Herald. It really highlights the impact and importance of urban community gardens - both locally and elsewhere. Thank you, Times Herald and Reporter Brigid McNutt, for your support of projects like ours.

 

Inspired by community gardens

Published on September 17, 2012, Moose Jaw Times Herald
Brigid McNutt                                                                        
 
I would like to commend the community garden projects for food banks as the growing season comes to an end. Over the past few years, community gardens designed to produce food for those who need it in the community have been increasingly springing up — here in Moose Jaw with Grow-a-Row program, throughout the province and around the world.

Maintained by volunteers, community members and organizations, these gardens offer increased food security while promoting community involvement and sustainable development. The nutritious produce is available for anyone, often donated to food banks and organizations.

Summertime is often a slow period for food banks. With people away on holidays and busy with summer plans, food banks often experience a reduction in donations until people are back to their normal routines in fall.

In addition, such gardens can beautify communities, adding lush greens where bland, empty lots once existed. Though vandalism is a natural fear, these gardens can often create the opposite effect. For example, further down my alley there were frequent acts of vandalism. The people living in the area got together and made a plan to fix up the back alley. They transformed the area by adding flowers, bright colours, and painted signs. The plan worked, deterring people from harming their property. The gardens can give people something to be proud of in their community.

I was also impressed to discover the Farmers Market for Charity put on twice a year here in Moose Jaw. With a portion of the proceeds going to community organizations, this is another great use of the land and an inspiring effort in supporting food security.

I think it’s great to see the wide demographic that contributes to these gardens. From veteran gardeners sharing their wisdom and teaching others how to sustain their own gardens, or university students setting up gardens on campus, there is a place for everyone to contribute.

It means time in the sun, being a part of a community, and the rewarding end result of tasty fruits and veggies. I hope these gardens will continue to generate momentum. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to these gardens this year. Cheers to lush gardens and full tummies for all.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Last Membership Meeting of the Season


Where has the summer gone? The first mild frost hit last night, the leaves are turning and we've all eaten more than our share of tomatoes. It's been a rich summer and now, autumn is here.

With autumn comes the end to the gardening season. We're starting to wrap-up and it's time for the last Gardener Membership Meeting of the year. It's at an odd day and time though, so please double check the details below.

Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 20th
7PM
Hunger in Moose Jaw office
(269 Stadacona St. W)

We'll be voting on the steering committee reps, talking about our upcoming Pumpkin Harvest Festival (on September 29th) and clean-up.

This is an important meeting, so please plan on being there! See you soon!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Gearing up for our Fall Farmer's Market for Charity

Last month our neighbours, friends and family gathered on Home Street for our August Farmer's Market for Charity. We had so much support, in fact, that we were able to raise more money at a single market than ever before. Together, we raised $3485 by selling our produce, baking, preserves and art - wow! Perhaps even more importantly, more people stayed and visited, more kids had their face painted, and more gardeners lent a hand. It was a success on all fronts.

So let's get together again! This Saturday, September 8 is our Fall Farmer's Market for Charity from 8:30 - 12noon on the 200 block of Home Street West. We'll have potatoes and beets, squash and tomatoes (and almost everything else too!). Come early but stay for the coffee, music and a stroll through the garden. See you then!