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Food insecurity is at an all time high. Thousands of individuals and families in Niagara are struggling more than ever to afford healthy food – a basic necessity to live well. We know that eating healthy, culturally appropriate food, plays a significant role in our overall health and well-being. That’s why we created the Growing Communities initiative, that works to increase access to healthy food for everyone.
Together, we are working to build stronger, healthier communities, promote food security and food literacy, reduce the effects of poverty, and expand our social and environmental impacts in Niagara.
How we’re doing it:
United Way Niagara is proud to fund and facilitate two bustling garden hubs in the Niagara region. These growing hubs produce a wide variety of fresh food that is distributed to programs and people in need across Niagara. The Garden Hubs are also a place where community members can come together to learn about food literacy including nutrition and cooking knowledge and making improved food decisions.
The first Garden Hub, in partnership with Niagara College Canada (NC), broke ground in June 2022 and is located at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The garden currently boasts 37 raised garden beds, a greenhouse and a wash station. In its inaugural growing season, over 1,200 pounds of fresh produce was harvested and shared in community.
In partnership with Absolute Change Management, United Way has established a second 2-acre Garden Hub on donated land in Vineland to grow and provide more healthy, fresh produce to support food security projects and initiatives in Niagara – getting more food in the hands of those who need it most.
Get involved
You can get involved and support the Garden Hubs in a number of ways.
Volunteer: Whether you are an individual, family, workplace or group, we can use your help! Volunteers are needed to help maintain the garden on a regular basis. You can volunteer one time or on a regular basis. There are opportunities for everyone. Learn more about current volunteer opportunities or submit your interest form.
Sponsorship or in-kind support: You can support the garden through a variety of levels of financial contribution or in-kind donations of supplies, tools, soil or seeds. A gift can be as little or as large as you wish, and always comes with the feeling of satisfaction of helping maintain a valuable community asset.
To make a gift: You can make a secure online donation now and receive an instant tax receipt, call in a credit card donation to 905-688-5050, or you can give by mail to United Way Niagara at 63 Church St. Suite LC1, St. Catharines ON, L2R 3C4. *Please include “Vineland Garden Hub” for both online or mail donations to ensure your gift is designated to this project.
View all of our current sponsorship opportunities
We are grateful for any level of support!
How it’s helping
All the produce grown at both Garden Hubs is used in a number of ways. Food is harvested as needed and donated to food programs in need. United Way works with many food partners across the region delivering programs such as drop-in meals, food at shelters and emergency food distribution. Harvested produce will also help supplement Community Pop-up Produce Markets. Growing Communities makes a direct impact on improving food access for thousands of individuals and families in Niagara
About Community Pop-up Produce Markets (CPPM)
United Way’s CPPM program is funded by the Niagara Region through the Niagara Prosperity Initiative for a period of one year. The program works to facilitate and support regular produce markets hosted by community partners in areas that need access to fresh food. CPPM’s provide access to affordable and low cost, nutritious food to community members in any neighbourhood. Markets provide a space for the community to come together around food and be engaged in social connections, programs and services that help strengthen the community.
Being part of the CPPM Program helps communities start their markets by offering:
- Start up materials and supplies
- Funding opportunities
- Support in planning and coordination
- Training resources and manuals
- Connection with a Registered Dietitian
- Part of Community Pop-up Market Network
- Connection with local food suppliers, growers and producers
- Connection with other services and supports for your neighbourhood
To date, there are more than 20 community partners hosting regular markets across the region.
For more information on Community Pop-up Produce Markets, please contact popupmarket@unitedwayniagara.org
