Garden program harvest benefits food bank users

TORONTO, September 18, 2009 – Hungry people across five communities in northern Toronto are benefiting this harvest season through a North York Harvest Food Bank service that helps food bank programs to run their own gardens. On Monday, September 21 from 11am to 1pm, food bank users in Lawrence Heights will be participating in a community harvest day at the Community Action Resource Centre, the local food bank for the surrounding area.

“Our Harvest to Hand Community Garden Program supports our member agencies to grow their own food,” says Daniel Liadsky, Senior Manager of Community Engagement at the North York Harvest Food Bank. “This is appealing for a number of reasons: gardens offer a reliable source of fresh produce during the summer months at a time when food bank inventories are traditionally low; and they offer rich community building opportunities where members can come together to socialize, share skills and support each other.”

Over the current growing season, the North York Harvest Food Bank has been supporting five of its 60 member agencies to develop and maintain gardens. The participating member agencies include a conventional food bank, two women’s shelters, a drop-in centre and a community housing property, all of which distribute food in partnership with North York Harvest. Assisted by a seasonal, full-time gardener, North York Harvest has helped to purchase tools and materials, coordinate plantings, engage volunteers, and deliver workshops that offer take-home skills for window sill or backyard gardening.

The initiative comes at a critical time as demand for services in 2009 is up 22% over the same period last year. Heading into 2010, the North York Harvest Food Bank is planning to expand this service further. “Ultimately, we hope to build the capacity of our entire agency network to support garden projects,” says Mr. Liadsky. “In the meantime, we have already secured funding through the City of Toronto’s Live Green initiative for next year, so we are looking forward to breaking ground with new partners in 2010.”

WHAT: Food bank participants will be harvesting food from the Lawrence Heights food bank garden

WHO: Residents of Lawrence Heights

WHERE: 640 Lawrence Ave West (Bathurst St and Allen Rd)

WHEN: Monday, September 21, 2009 between 11am and 1pm

About the North York Harvest Food Bank
The North York Harvest Food Bank is the primary food bank for northern Toronto. An independent, charitable organization, it distributes over one million pounds of food to 60 community food programs between Hwy 27, Steeles Ave, Victoria Park Ave, and St. Clair Ave/Eglinton Ave. To learn more about North York Harvest programs, visit www.northyorkharvestfoodbank.com.

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For further information, contact:
Daniel Liadsky
Senior Manager, Community Engagement
North York Harvest Food Bank
416-635-7771 ext. 32
daniel [at] northyorkharvestfoodbank [dot] com