urban agriculture and food security initiatives in canada

8/9/2019 Urban Agriculture and Food Security Initiatives in Canada

1/107

CITIES FEEDING PEOPLE SERIES: REPORT 25

UUUUURBRBRBRBRBANANANANAN AAAAAGRICULGRICULGRICULGRICULGRICULTURETURETURETURETUREANDANDANDANDAND FFFFFOODOODOODOODOOD

SSSSSECURITYECURITYECURITYECURITYECURITY IIIIINITIANITIANITIANITIANITIATIVESTIVESTIVESTIVESTIVES INININININ CCCCCANANANANANADADADADADAAAAA:::::

A SA SA SA SA SURURURURURVEYVEYVEYVEYVEYOFOFOFOFOF CCCCCANANANANANADIANADIANADIANADIANADIAN

NNNNNOOOOONNNNN-G-G-G-G-GOOOOOVERNMENTVERNMENTVERNMENTVERNMENTVERNMENTALALALALAL OOOOORGRGRGRGRGANIZAANIZAANIZAANIZAANIZATIOTIOTIOTIOTIONSNSNSNSNS


2/107


3/107

LLLLL IIIII FFFFF EEEEE CCCCC YYYYY CCCCC LLLLL EEEEE SSSSS PPPPP RRRRR OOOOOJJJJJ EEEEE CCCCC TTTTT SSSSS OOOOO CCCCC IIIII EEEEE TTTTT YYYYY 3

This report was completed by the LifeCycles Project Society in partnership with theCities Feeding People Program of the IDRC in October of 1998. It was researchedand written by Jacinda Fairholm with support and editing by Linda Geggie. Reportlayout and design by Jamey Ekins and Ian Scott.

I would like to thank the LifeCycles team, namely Linda Geggie, Mark Bomford, TimEwanchuck, Misty McFadden, Arye Berlet, and Nedjo Rogers and many volunteers,for their collective energy, support, guidance and effort. The confidence and feed-back from Luc Mougeot, Brenda Lee Wilson and Michel Frojmovic of Cities FeedingPeople Program Initiative at the International Development Research Centre was ofconsiderable assistance. Many others willingly gave me information, resources,ideas and thoughts about their organizations and the current state of communityfood security in their region: Thea Hammond Wilson, Susan Penstone, Sean Cosgrove,the folks at FarmFolk/CityFolk, Devorah Kahn, Kim De Lallo, Diane Collins, LorieWay, Graham Riches, Joanne Houghton, Helen Brown Seema Patel, Mike Levenston,Charlotte Gaudette, Beth Hunter, Kathryn Scharfe, Richard Griffith, Michelle Buckand the Marcolongo family among others. I was lucky enough to participate in a

tour of Field to Table and Torontos community gardens thanks to Debbie Field,Lauren Baker, Tracey Loverock and Sean Cosgrove. This project was a large under-

taking and it would not have been possible without the support of many.

Jacinda Fairholm Jacinda Fairholm Jacinda Fairholm Jacinda Fairholm Jacinda Fairholm

LifeCycles would like to thank the Cities Feeding People Program of the IDRC fortheir support of this project and of the work of community based food security initia-tives across Canada and around the world.

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S Urban

Agriculture

& Food

Security


4/107

CCCCC AAAAA NNNNN AAAAA DDDDD IIIII AAAAA NNNNN UUUUU RRRRR BBBBB AAAAA NNNNN AAAAA GGGGG RRRRR IIIII CCCCC UUUUU LLLLL TTTTT UUUUU RRRRR EEEEE4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................ 3

Table of CONTENTS ....................................................................................... 4

Forword ........................................................................................................... 6

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 8COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY IN THE CANADIAN CONTEXT ................. 9

I. URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION ........................................................... 14

Community Gardening .......................................................................... 15Case Study 1 City Community Gardening Program (Montreal) .......... 17

History of Community Gardens in Canada ............................................ 16

Contemporary Community Gardening in Canada .................................. 16Case Study 2 Eco-Initiatives (Montreal) ............................................. 20Case Study 3 Mennonite Center for Newcomers (Edmonton)............. 20Case Study 4 Greenest City (Toronto) ................................................ 20

Rooftop Gardening ................................................................................ 19

Case Study 5 Rooftop Garden Resource Group (Toronto) ................... 22Urban Gardening and Urban Farms ....................................................... 21

Challenges ............................................................................................ 23

II. URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES ........................... 28

Organic Agriculture .............................................................................. 28Case Study 6 Annex Organics (Toronto) ............................................. 29

Urban Waste Management: Composting ............................................... 30Case Study 7 City Farmer (Vancouver) .............................................. 31Case Study 8 Composting Council of Canada (Toronto) ..................... 31

Greenhouses .......................................................................................... 30

Permaculture ......................................................................................... 30

Case Study 9 Can-AG (Western Canada) ........................................... 33III. ALTERNATIVE FOOD DISTRIBUTION ....................................... 38

Alternative Marketing ........................................................................... 38Community-Supported Agriculture ..................................................... 38Case Study 10 FoodShare (Toronto) .................................................... 39Case Study 11 A SEED (Montreal)...................................................... 41Farmers Markets ............................................................................... 40Case Study 12 East Vancouver Farmers Market ................................ 42

Alternative Purchasing .......................................................................... 43Case Study 13 Ontario Natural Food Co-op ....................................... 42Case Study 14 Field to Table (Toronto) .............................................. 44Food Cooperatives and Buying Clubs ................................................ 45

The Good Food Box ........................................................................... 45Community Kitchens ......................................................................... 45Case Study 15 Regroupment des Cuisines Collectives du Quebec .... 47Case Study 16 Community Kitchens Vancouver ................................ 47

IV. EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION ............................................ 54

Case Study 17 Canadian Association of Food Banks ......................... 56Case Study 18 Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank ................................ 56

V. FOOD EDUCATION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT ........................... 60

Case Study 19 Oxfam-Canada.......................................................... 61

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T SUrban

Agriculture

& Food

Security


5/107


Case Study 20 Environmental Youth Alliance (Vancouver) ............... 62Case Study 21 Permaculture Community Action Worknet (Ontario) . 62Case Study 22 LifeCycles (Victoria) ................................................... 63

VI. FOOD NETWORKS AND POLICY ORGANIZATIONS ..................... 68

Case Study 23 FarmFolk/CityFolk (British columbia) ......................... 69Case Study 24 Earth Keeping (Edmonton) .......................................... 70Case Study 25 Toronto Food Policy Council ...................................... 70Case Study 26 Scarborough Hunger Coalition ................................... 72Case Study 27 Prince George Food Security Network ....................... 72Case Study 28 Toronto Food Research Network (TFRN) ..................... 72

Conclusion.................................................................................................... 76

BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................... 80

DIRECTORY OF RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS .......................................... 88

DIRECTORY OF ORGANIZATIONS BY REGION ......................................... 90

British Columbia.................................................................................... 90

Prairies .................................................................................................. 93Ontario .................................................................................................. 96

Quebec ............................................................................................... 100

The Maritimes ..................................................................................... 101

National Organizations ....................................................................... 103

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Urban

Agriculture

& Food

Security


6/107


Urban Agriculture and Food Security Initiatives in Canada: A Survey of CanadianNon-Governmental Organizations, provides an overview of existing commu-nity based organizing efforts to create more just and sustainable food systems. Thissurvey identifies the many organizations and their networks currently working to

achieve this goal and seeks to identify areas where there is still need for furtherresearch, work and creativity.

A community enjoys food security when all people, at all times, have access tonutritious, safe, personally acceptable and culturally appropriate foods, produced inways that are environmentally sound and socially just. A combination of hunger,degradation and loss of agricultural lands, limited economic viability of small andmedium sized farms and a general dissatisfaction with the food system in generalhas propelled community organizations to action.

Individuals and groups envision a variety of strategies to recreate food productionand distribution systems. They are investing time, energy and resources into recon-necting people to food and the land. Urban food production and alternative market-ing mechanisms are being implemented to diversify and localize the food system.

Projects are undertaken that work to improve health and food access. Others aretaking on environmental and land use issues. Effort is being made in areas of educa-tion, public participation and the building of a political voice to effect change at astructural level.

While there is skepticism of the abilities of ur-ban food production to feed cities, evidence isbeing gathered that great possibility exists forfeeding urban populations closer to home. Be-yond pure food production, the ability to decreasetransportation costs, provide employment andincrease green space in cities are proving to beother strong motivators for action. We found most

food production organizing to be around com-munity and allotment gardening, rooftop garden-ing, and backyard gardens and urban farms.Many expressed that limited access to land, by-law restrictions, input requirements, and restric-tive urban planning were challenges to seeingthe full potential for urban food production.Among examples of the initiatives listed in thereport are Community gardens in Montreal, andthe Rooftop Garden Resource Group.

Many organizations across Canada are working cooperatively with market garden-ers, regional farmers and urban dwellers to create alternative food distribution and

purchasing models. This document highlights alternative marketing in the forms ofCommunity Supported Agriculture and Farmers Markets, as well as alternative pur-chasing through forms of food cooperatives, buying clubs, and Community Kitchensas strategies to reclaim control of food systems. Case studies chosen as good ex-amples of viable distribution and purchasing initiatives are FoodShare of Toronto,and Regroupment des Cuisines Collectives du Quebec

An important aspect of distribution is access to food. Currently many Canadianshave a varied and nutritious diet year round, but many do not. The use of emer-gency food distribution services is steadily rising and we have also featured initiaves

F O R W A R DUrban

Agriculture

& Food

Security

A community enjoysA community enjoysA community enjoysA community enjoysA community enjoys

food security whenfood security whenfood security whenfood security whenfood security when

all the peopleall the peopleall the peopleall the peopleall the people,,,,, at allat allat allat allat all

timestimestimestimestimes,,,,, hahahahahavvvvve access toe access toe access toe access toe access to

nutritiousnutritiousnutritiousnutritiousnutritious,,,,, safsafsafsafsafeeeee,,,,,

perperperperpersonallsonallsonallsonallsonall y accept- y accept- y accept- y accept- y accept-

able and culturallable and culturallable and culturallable and culturallable and culturallyyyyy

apprapprapprapprappropriate fopriate fopriate fopriate fopriate foodsoodsoodsoodsoods,,,,,

prprprprproduced in woduced in woduced in woduced in woduced in waaaaaysysysysysthat arthat arthat arthat arthat are ene ene ene ene envirvirvirvirviron-on-on-on-on-

mentallmentallmentallmentallmentall y sound and y sound and y sound and y sound and y sound and

sociallsociallsociallsociallsociall y just. y just. y just. y just. y just.


7/107


whose objectives are to improve individuals access to food and building self reliancethrough gardening, such as the Canadian Association of Food Banks and the CambridgeSelf-Help Food Bank.

Food Education and Skills Development efforts at the community level are also ex-plored in this report. Almost all non-governmental and community based organizationslinked to food security issues offer resources, information and educational opportunitiesto the public. Many also host Youth and adult skills developmentprograms such asLifeCycles of Victoria, and the Environmental Youth Alliance of Vancouver.

The following information is meant to point researchers and the public to organizationsthat are working on different aspects of food security and make known tangible com-munity based organizing efforts. This document is testimony to the scope and breadthof community based actions in Canada. In the final section you will a bibliography, alist of resource groups and a directory of organizations by region that is cross-referencedto the chapter of the report referring to its work and focus.

This document has several functions. This work raises the profile of Canadian

F O R W O R D Urban

Agriculture

& Food

Security

Far from disap-

pearing, hunger

and malnutrition

are on the in-

crease, even in

advanced indus-trialized coun-

tries like

Canada, where

each year an

estimated 2.5

million people

depend on food

banks.(Koc etal., 1999: 1)


8/107


community organizations as significant actors in addressing urban food security. Itprovides national and provincial contacts for community-based groups working the varioussectors of food security. Finally, it seeks to support the growing analysis of the currentfood system and highlight viable alternatives.

A backdrop to both urban agriculture and community food security is the issue of accessto food. To this end, this document draws a general outline of community food securitywithin the Canadian context and explores issues of production and distribution. Thedocument encompasses a diversity of community responses and is organized into sixsections: Urban Food Production, Urban Food Production Technologies, Alternative FoodDistribution, Emergency Food Distribution, Food Education and Skills Development,and Food Networks and Policy Organization. Each section gives an overview of theconcept and is followed by specific case studies from across Canada. Also included ineach section is a contact list of groups and organizations whose work is related to thecategory. All of the organizations and their contact information are also listed byregion at the back of the report. A symbol by each groups name indicates whichcategory their case study can be found in. Resources geared toward information and

action are also listed.It is difficult to organize the activities of community organizations into strict catego-ries. Most community organizations working toward greater food access offer amultitude of services and programs. Near the beginning of each section a moredetailed case study illustrates the multi-faceted approach and activities that manyorganizations take. Overall, the categorization reflects areas of strength within each

listed organization but note that it is somewhatlimited considering the nature of community foodsecurity action.

The intent of this document is to inform both theresearch community of grassroots capacity andthe general public about food security issues. To

this end, the focus of the report is informationrather than analysis. There is a lack of in-depthresearch, analysis and evaluation on the role Ca-nadian community organizations play in address-ing food security issues. It is hoped that thisdocument will encourage and contribute to a com-prehensive approach to food security issues inCanada.

I N T R O D U C T I O NUrban

Agriculture

& Food

Security

The Arrival

Like a tide it comes in,wave after wave of foliage and fruit,the nurtured and the wild,out of the light to this shore,In its extravagance we shape

the strenuous outline of enough.

-Wendell Berry


9/107


Overall Canada does have a plentiful food supply, with well-stocked supermar-kets that provide most foods most of the time, including mangoes in January.Prices are largely affordable with Canadians spending 14.2% of their income onfood. Yet food insecurity is an increasing reality for many Canadians. Over a

million Canadians, half of whom are children, go hungry each day. Lack of food isnot the cause of hunger in Canada. It is a question of access, distribution andincome. Examining food security involves looking at the underlying system of fooddistribution.

There are ecological, economical and social challenges with the current food sys-tem. It relies on a network of food production, processing and distribution that for themost part is energy intensive, environmentally harmful and does not necessarilymeet the needs of everyone. Concentration of ownership by large-scale agri-busi-ness of the inputs for production, means of production, processing, transportation,wholesale and retail of food insulates decision-making about food production anddistribution from social accountability. Small farmers are squeezed out of businessby high operating costs, low prices and poor access to markets. Companies relying

on cheap labour and malleable regulations in other countries import much of ourfood. Food is treated as a commodity to be traded for the highest profit. Nutritionalvalue and community health are compromised; the poor are unable to access healthyfood.

The global food system is characterized by a process of distancing. Consumers areseparated from the sources of their food. Spatial distancing refers to the physicalseparation of producers and consumers; vast quantities of energy are required toprocess, refrigerate and transport food to the consumer. This process fosters tempo-ral distancing which increases time between harvest and consumption by means oftransportation and increased shelf life. Consumers are so separated from their foodthat they are often unable to recognize it in its raw unprocessed form. Culturalrituals as well as skills related to food production and distribution are lost. It is afood system that is largely unresponsive to individual and community needs.

The combination of hunger in Canadian society and dissatisfaction with the foodsystem has propelled community organizations to re-evaluate the process of foodproduction and distribution. Community ventures such as farmers markets, urbangardens, Community Supported Agriculture and community kitchen programs are

flourishing across the country. Collectively, these effortscomprise re-emergence of community-based food systems,and powerful examples of alternatives to the dominantcorporate model.

The community food security movement links these ef-forts together with a comprehensive vision of a just andsustainable food system. A community enjoys food secu-

rity when all people, at all times, have access to nutri-tious, safe, personally acceptable and culturally appropri-ate foods, obtained through normal food distribution channels. Food security broad-ens the traditional conception of hunger, embracing a systemic view of the causes ofhunger and poor nutrition within a community while identifying the changes neces-sary to prevent their occurrence. The framework for food security integrates manyperspectives including public health prevention-orientation, ecological systems analy-sis, and community development place-centered focus and emphasis on local eco-nomic development.

COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY IN THE CANADIAN CONTEXT Urban

Agriculture

& Food

Security

Over a million Ca-Over a million Ca-Over a million Ca-Over a million Ca-Over a million Ca-

nadiansnadiansnadiansnadiansnadians,,,,, halfhalfhalfhalfhalf ofofofofof

wwwwwhom arhom arhom arhom arhom are ce ce ce ce childrhildrhildrhildrhildren,en,en,en,en,

gggggo huno huno huno huno hungggggrrrrr y eac y eac y eac y eac y each dah dah dah dah dayyyyyLacLacLacLacLack ofk ofk ofk ofk of fffffood is notood is notood is notood is notood is not

the cause ofthe cause ofthe cause ofthe cause ofthe cause of hunhunhunhunhungggggeeeee

in Canada. It is ain Canada. It is ain Canada. It is ain Canada. It is ain Canada. It is a

question ofquestion ofquestion ofquestion ofquestion of accessaccessaccessaccessaccess,,,,,

distribution anddistribution anddistribution anddistribution anddistribution and

incomeincomeincomeincomeincome.....


10/107


The community food security movement is founded upon five central principles focus-ing on the needs of low-income people.

Community food security moves beyond the anti-hunger campaign with

broader goals of skill development, urban greening and community building.

The focus on community means strengthening local food resources to meetlocal needs

Community food security emphasizes the self-reliance of individuals andfamilies to provide for their own food needs rather than depending on exter-nal sources such as food banks.

Promoting local agriculture and encouraging rural-urban links is an impor-tant aspect of this approach.

Community projects are multi-faceted and incorporate many sectors. This

approach reflects analysis and action on local food systems.

A movement towards community food security has far reaching implications. Thereis economic investment in local food systems through the entry of new farmers,expansion of existing farms, new food processing businesses and expanded localmarkets (Anderson and Cook, 1998: 7). Community control over the process im-proves environmental stewardship of the producing landscape. Another element ofa community food system is increased community cohesion, identity and viability.

Canadian communities are increasingly looking to build local food security. Urbanfood production and alternative marketing mechanisms are being implemented todiversify and localize the food system. Projects deal with a diverse range of issuessuch as health, job training and urban land use. Effort is being made in areas ofeducation, public participation and the building of a political voice to effect changeat a structural level. Most community organizations working in the area of food arere-evaluating their analysis and action with a systems approach. Food is so centralthat all aspects must be incorporated to effectively change the manner in whichcommunities have access to it. Canadian organizations are confronting hunger andpoverty with creative community-based solutions that feed people today, while cre-ating the means for a permanent solution.

COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY IN THE CANADIAN CONTEXTUrban

Agriculture

& Food

Security

Canadian organiza-Canadian organiza-Canadian organiza-Canadian organiza-Canadian organiza-

tions are confront-tions are confront-tions are confront-tions are confront-tions are confront-

ininininin g hun g hun g hun g hun g hunggggger ander ander ander ander and poverty with cre- poverty with cre- poverty with cre- poverty with cre- poverty with cre-

atiatiatiatiativvvvve community-e community-e community-e community-e community-

based solutions thatbased solutions thatbased solutions thatbased solutions thatbased solutions that

fffffeed people todaeed people todaeed people todaeed people todaeed people todayyyyy,,,,,

wwwwwhile crhile crhile crhile crhile creatineatineatineatineatin g the g the g the g the g the

means for a perma-means for a perma-means for a perma-means for a perma-means for a perma-

nent solution.nent solution.nent solution.nent solution.nent solution.


11/107


12/107


13/107

C H A P T E R O N E

UUUUURBRBRBRBRBANANANANAN FFFFFOODOODOODOODOOD

PPPPPRODUCTIORODUCTIORODUCTIORODUCTIORODUCTIONNNNN


14/107


I. URBI. URBI. URBI. URBI. URBAN FOODAN FOODAN FOODAN FOODAN FOOD

PRODUCTIONPRODUCTIONPRODUCTIONPRODUCTIONPRODUCTION

Part of the vision of moving towardcommunity food security in Canadiancities includes exploring avenues for ur-ban food production. Urban agriculturerefers to food production occurringwithin the confines of cities. This produc-tion takes place in backyards, rooftops,community vegetable and fruit gardensand unused or public spaces. It may in-clude commercial operations producingfood in greenhouses and other spaces,but is more often small-scaled andscattered around the city (Nugent,1997: 2).

Around the world, urban agricul-ture is part of a survival strat-egy for the urban poor. Its con-tribution to food security ap-pears to be substantial in manydeveloping world cities. Smitet al.s (1996) research indi-cates that there are 200 millionurban farmers in the world whosupply food to 800 million people,or about 12% of the worlds population.

They point out that in many Asian cities,food production is promoted and recog-nized as a critical urban function. For ex-ample, Hong Kong one of the worlds mostdensely populated cities produces two-thirds of the poultry, one-sixth of the pigsand close to half of the vegetables eatenby its citizens. With such potential, ur-ban agriculture as a strategy to increasefood supply should not be, and increas-ingly is not, limited to the developingworld.

The experiences of cities around theworld offer community organizations andmunicipal leaders in Canada models forincreasing urban food security. Urban en-vironments have the potential to producesubstantial quantities of food. One studyrevealed over 6,500 acres of cultivableland in the City of Vancouver - enough tofeed its entire population even by con-servative estimates of productivity. This

finding is complemented by the wide-spread reports that gardening is the fa-vorite pastime of Canadians. Levenstonof City Farmer believes urban agricul-

ture is exactly thatthe time honored tra-dition of backyard gardening. FromHalifax to Victoria, almost all Canadianmunicipalities have active communitygardens; urban food production is indeeda present reality in Canadian cities.

Foremost among the benefits of urban ag-riculture are the obvious contributions tohousehold food supply and additionalspending income. A United States Depart-

ment of Agriculture study esti-mates that urban gardening in

America has a market valueof $16 million. This representsa considerable percentage ofhousehold income made avail-able to fulfill other needs. De-

spite debate over the potentialability of urban agriculture to

fully feed city populations, it isobvious that it contributes to in-

creased food security at an indi-vidual and community level.

Urban food production has far-reaching

implications. There are several economicbenefits. In cities where food is produced,industries develop to provide inputs, mar-keting and processing services. Thisranges from individual backyard grow-ers selling surplus produce to commer-cial market gardens and aquaculture op-erations. Farmers markets and Commu-nity Supported Agriculture initiatives aremethods of ensuring the viability of ur-ban farmers. Local food production con-tributes to currency exchange within thelocal economy and supports local em-

ployment, rather than being drained outto pay for imports.

Environmentally, urban food productioncontributes to better waste-management.Cities generally operate on throughput,i.e. resources in, wastes out). Organicwastes can be used in urban agricultureoperations, providing mechanisms toclose this urban nutrient loop (Nelson,

U R B A N F O O D P R O D C T I O N

Chapter

One

Urban aUrban aUrban aUrban aUrban agggggriculturriculturriculturriculturricultureeeee

refers to food pro-refers to food pro-refers to food pro-refers to food pro-refers to food pro-

duction occurinduction occurinduction occurinduction occurinduction occuringgggg

within the confineswithin the confineswithin the confineswithin the confineswithin the confines

ofofofofof citiescitiescitiescitiescities. T. T. T. T. This prhis prhis prhis prhis pro-o-o-o-o-

duction takes placeduction takes placeduction takes placeduction takes placeduction takes placein bacin bacin bacin bacin backykykykykyararararardsdsdsdsds,,,,,

rrrrrooftopsooftopsooftopsooftopsooftops,,,,, communitycommunitycommunitycommunitycommunity

vvvvveeeeegggggetable and fretable and fretable and fretable and fretable and fruituituituituit

gardens and unused gardens and unused gardens and unused gardens and unusedgardens and unused

or public spacesor public spacesor public spacesor public spacesor public spaces. It. It. It. It. It

mamamamama y inc y inc y inc y inc y include com-lude com-lude com-lude com-lude com-

mercial operationsmercial operationsmercial operationsmercial operationsmercial operations

prprprprproducinoducinoducinoducinoducing fg fg fg fg food inood inood inood inood in

greenhouses and greenhouses and greenhouses and greenhouses and greenhouses andother spacesother spacesother spacesother spacesother spaces,,,,, bbbbbut isut isut isut isut is

more often small-more often small-more often small-more often small-more often small-

scaled and scatteredscaled and scatteredscaled and scatteredscaled and scatteredscaled and scattered

arararararound the cityound the cityound the cityound the cityound the city.....


15/107


1996:14). By promoting growing in the city,transportation of food over long distancesno longer becomes necessary.

Fossil-fuel emissions are curbed, refriger-ating costs are cut and packaging is re-duced. Urban bio-diversity is increased, notonly by the tendency of local gardens to

grow a wider range of foods, butthrough providing habitats forurban wildlife. Further benefitsinclude the mitigation of storm-water runoff, oxygen produc-tion, noise reduction and tem-perature control via shade andtranspiration.

Socially, urban food productioncontributes to a sense of com-munity and self-reliance.Community gardening makes

the food system visible in urban areas. Wesee community gardening as communitydevelopment (Cosgrove & Sheilds, 1994quoted in Cook, 1996). It breaks downthe process of distancing. Individuals arein greater contact with the process andsource of their foods. People have ac-cess to fresh foods with all its impliedhealth benefits. Urban food productionalso represents a significant opportunityto regain cultural and horticultural knowl-edge.

Urban food production, in the form ofcommunity and rooftop gardening, is in-creasingly part of the Canadian urbanlandscape. As poverty and hunger inten-sify and public assistance evaporates, ur-ban communities are coming togetheraround gardening and food security - cul-tivating neighborhood gardens and roof-top space for community cohesion, nu-tritional sustenance and economic oppor-tunity.

COMMUNITY GARDENING

F or the purposes of this paper, acommunity garden is where peopleshare basic resources - land, water andsunlight (Lindayati, 1996: 10). This defi-nition includes allotment gardens (whereplots of land are allotted for a fee) as wellas communal open spaces such as demonstration sites and gardens linked to

schools, community or faith centres. Com-munity gardening represents a collectiveaction to secure land for the purpose offood production. The 1997 edi- tion of theCommunity Greening Review looks at therange of current research that supportcommunity gardens. Research revealsthat community gardening combines per-

sonal benefits together with clearly dem-onstrated community advan- tages.

Community gardens provide significanteconomic benefits to unemployedpeople and impoverished families. Foodproduced in community gardens supple-ments limited incomesinvestment incommunity gardens and their expansionwill return significant economic, physi-cal and psychological benefits(Hassen, 1994: 15) The fact that com-munity gardening can play a vital rolein urban food production is echoed inthe experience of the Francis BeaverCommunity Garden located in Torontosurban core. Gardening on 4 x5 footplots, the low-income seniors were ableto supply their entire fresh produceneeds from June to October. TheMulticultural Greening Project ofGreenest City calculated the gardencrop value to be approximately $7200 ayear. This, among other studies, illus-trates that community gardening pro-vides people, many who are economi-

cally disadvantaged, with the opportu-nity to grow fresh food, supplementingboth their diet and income.

The benefits of community gardening gobeyond nutritional and financial value.Community greening promotes healthiercommunities by providing a space togather and socialize. Community gardensenable people to maintain their culturalheritage by growing plants that play an

Urban Food

Production

...community gardening pro-

vides people, many who are

economically disadvantaged,

with the opportunity to grow

fresh food, supplementing

both their diet and income.


16/107


important cultural role. Gardens also con-tribute to the development of a healthycity through the removal of air pollu-tion, regeneration of soil and compostingof organic wastes. Community gardensrepresent productive use of vacated orunused land. Urban gardening also pro-vides community residents with an essen-tial connection to nature, fueling work andphysical activity along with experientiallearning.

Community gardening also enhances boththe informal and formal economies. Trad-ing and bartering occurs for land, equip-ment, seed, composting, fencing, infor-mation and educational materials. Itbrings increased business at local green-houses, nurseries and garden supplystores. Some community gardeningprojects emphasize entrepeneurialism

through market gardening and micro-en-terprises while others address food ac-cess by promoting farmers markets.

Community gardens are an important linkin many community food security initia-tives. They provide the common groundfor building community links and grow-ing food. Community-based programs thatemphasize community gardening tend tointegrate many of these factors, such asskill building, nutritional education, com-munity economic development, environ-

mental stewardship and food access, intotheir activities.

HISTORYOF COMMUNITY GARDENS

IN CANADA

Urban community gardening in

Canada has experienced waves ofinterest over the past hundred years.Roughly six overlapping periods of com-munity gardening are part of Canadianhistory. The first community gardens inCanada were the Railway Gardens (1890- 1930). Designed and maintained by theCanadian Pacific Railway, these commu-nity gardens were located in town sta-

tions across the country and manifestedlocal community spirit in the pioneeringWest.

The same period witnessed the growth ofSchool Gardens. As part of the Nature-StudyMovement, each student had a plot to growflowers and vegetables from seed. This

wave of activity was expanded upon bythe Relief Gardens of WWI and eventu-ally the Victory Gardens of WWII. Thou-sands of gardens were coordinated to pro-vide food for the war efforts. A fourth stagein Canadian community gardens fell be-tween the wars. Municipalities encouragedVacant Lot Gardens as a method to im-prove the appearances of communities andas a charitable provision of employmentand food for the poor. The post war yearsbrought the car, suburban living and pro-cessed foods and community gardening de-

clined. The counter-culture movement be-tween 1965-1979 saw the revival of urbangardening in response to concerns aboutthe environment, energy conservation, self-reliance and community breakdown. Cur-rent community gardens evolved out of the1970s movement; their legitimacy in theurban setting supported by the call forcommunity open space.

CONTEMPORARY COMMUNITY

GARDENINGIN CANADA

C ommunity gardens are currentlyfound in the majority of Canadian ur-ban centres both large (Montreal 73), me-dium (Vancouver 26) and small (Victoria9). The experience of civic communitygardening across the country varies con-

siderably. Common to all community gar-dening initiatives is that they are rootedin grassroots demand. Management, co-ordination and growth of gardens tend todiffer greatly between communities de-pending on the initiative of the commu-nity, civic support and city regulationsand policy. In some situations, commu-nity action has led to municipally-en-

Chapter

One

TTTTThe firhe firhe firhe firhe first communityst communityst communityst communityst community

gardens in Canadagardens in Canada gardens in Canadagardens in Canada gardens in Canada

wwwwwererererere the Re the Re the Re the Re the Railailailailailwwwwwaaaaayyyyy

Gardens (1890-Gardens (1890-Gardens (1890-Gardens (1890-Gardens (1890-

1930). Desi1930). Desi1930). Desi1930). Desi1930). Designedgnedgnedgnedgned

and maintained byand maintained byand maintained byand maintained byand maintained bythe Canadian Pacificthe Canadian Pacificthe Canadian Pacificthe Canadian Pacificthe Canadian Pacific

RRRRRailailailailailwwwwwaaaaayyyyy,,,,, these com-these com-these com-these com-these com-

munity gardensmunity gardensmunity gardensmunity gardensmunity gardens

were located inwere located inwere located inwere located inwere located in

town stationstown stationstown stationstown stationstown stations

across the countryacross the countryacross the countryacross the countryacross the country

and manifested localand manifested localand manifested localand manifested localand manifested local

community spirit incommunity spirit incommunity spirit incommunity spirit incommunity spirit in

the pioneerinthe pioneerinthe pioneerinthe pioneerinthe pioneeringggggWWWWWest.est.est.est.est.


17/107


C A S E S T U D Y

Urban Food

ProductionCASE STUDY 1: CITY COMMUNITY GARDENING PROGRAM (MONTREAL)

The City of Montreal is renowned for its community gardening program. In a populationof over 2 million, the Montreal Urban Community has over 100 community gardens. The

City of Montreal itself maintains 73 gardens with 6,278 plots, providing an estimated14,000 people,(1.5% of the citys population) with, alternative access to food.

While community areas have been gardened for years, gardening literally became agrowing institution in 1975 after a community group enlisted the support of the citys

Botanical Department to obtain a lot vacated after a fire. Under the wings of directorPierre Bourque, community gardening was coordinated across the city through the allot-

ment of city sites. Coordination of the program was eventually transferred to the Parks,Recreation and Community Development Department and policies developed to outlineboth the services provided by the city and rules for garden growing.

For a $10 registration fee, any resident of the City of Montreal can garden at a nearbysite. The City supplies the land, equipment (including outdoor furniture) and materials

necessary for the program to function efficiently. It also provides water, collects refuse,

and offers the services of horticultural animators. The four animators are responsible forvisiting the gardens on a rotating basis, giving technical advice to the gardeners andliaisoning with volunteer garden committees.

The gardens are run by elected volunteer committees who also represent the garden ata municipal level. The committees supervise daily activities in the garden sites, manage

the distribution of plots and are responsible for ensuring that the gardens are maintainedto city standards. Standards call for a minimum of five types of vegetables grown in

each plot using organic techniques only. The partnership between committees and thecity help ensure standards are maintained and the urban environment is protected.

There is an emphasis on education in the Montreal gardening program. The BotanicalDepartment offers courses in areas such as organic gardening, landscaping and medici-

nal herbs. An additional 440 youth garden plots are set aside for horticultural and naturalscience education; summer programs introduce children, ages 9-14 years, to the veg-etable garden and the process of food production.

One distinctive feature of Montreals program is its zoning regulations. Roughly twothirds of the gardens are located in parkland zones providing long-term protection from

development. The other gardens are located on city-owned land slated for eventualconstruction. If, and when, the need to be moved arises, the city attempts to find new

space for the gardens. Montreal relocated 12 gardens between 1986-89, at the capitalcost of $400,000.

The gardens are extremely popular. There is 25% more demand than the current systemcan fill and the membership renewal rates are approaching 100%. Expanding to meet

citizens demand, ensuring the permanence of existing gardens and finding land for new

ones are some of the challenges Montreals community gardening program faces in thelate 1990s. Other challenges are coordinating the roles, resources and responsibilitiesof various departments in an era of budget constraints. The municipality has lost half oftheir animators, down from eight. Despite such challenges, gardening and greening re-

mains intrinsic to Montreals political and social identity.

For more information, contact: Michel Confortate, City of Montreal Community GardeningProgram, Recreation, Parks and Community Development Department, 5319 Notre Damede Grace Ave., Montreal, PQ H4A 1L2 Tel: (514) 872-6363 Fax: (514) 872-4585


18/107


dorsed and coordinated gardening pro-grams. In many cities, the process hasevolved in a more fragmented and infor-mal manner. Separate communities takeindependent initiatives to establish gar-dens with neither a centralized commu-nity voice nor a coordinated municipalresponse. There is no single model forcommunity gardening in either Canadianmunicipalities or community organiza-tions.

Some cities, such as the Montreal UrbanCommunity, have an extensive, munici-pally supported community gardeningprogram. Established in 1975, the largermunicipal area now has approximately100 gardens, supported by the city throughprovision of land, equipment and person-nel. The program is regarded as one ofthe best in North America and is consid-

ered a model for other municipalities.Several Canadian municipalities such asWinnipeg, Regina and Halifax haveadopted this centralized model to vary-ing degrees.

The development of Torontos communitygardens differs substantially. The city andits citizens traditionally lacked both a gar-dening consciousness and a comprehen-sive approach to community greening.This, however, has evolved as of late. Withconcerns about food security and health

gaining ground, the number of gardens inthe region is increasing. The 1997 inven-tory of gardens identified 68 gardens upfrom 41 in 1993. In 1996, the Departmentof Parks and Recreation partnered withcommunity groups to install several gar-dens and purchase land for demonstra-tion sites. Studies find a consistent de-mand for garden space, with a waitinglist each year. In response the growingprominence and importance of gardensin the Metro Toronto area, an informalgroup, Friends of Community Gardening,

has been formed to advocate for gardensat a political level. This pattern of de-mand, growth and response to gardens isechoed in the experiences of cities suchas Calgary (Community Garden ResourceGroup) and Edmonton (Community Gar-den Network) where community groupsare coming together to represents a cen-tralized community voice. The develop-ment of municipal policy and infrastruc-

ture that supports the growth of commu-nity gardening is related to the capacityof community groups to keep gardeningon the agenda.

The Greater Vancouver Regional Districtis home to 26 community gardens. Theirdevelopment is highly individualistic.

While there are certainly long timeVancouver community gardens, such asregional allotments at the Burnaby allot-ment garden (BRAGA), there are alsomany newer efforts as a community gar-den consciousness has arisen duringVancouvers sustained economic boom.The need to think seriously about landuse decisions in the face of growth hashelped a kernel of support for commu-nity gardens to germinate (Cosgrove,1998: 13). The more recent interest incommunity gardening was sparked by the

activities of the Strathcona gardenerswho in the last decade battled to reclaim7 contiguous acres for over 300 plots.

The struggle for this corridor raised the pub-

lic profile of community gardening and en-couraged several other communities to de-velop sites. In 1996 the Vancouver ParksBoard adopted the first official communitygardening policy in the region; this policystates that upon demonstrating neighbor-hood support, the Park Board wil provideinformation and help identify a site forcommunity groups to garden. The ParksBoard will provide start-up assistance andlease land to non--profit societies in 5-yearincrements. The more independent andinformal development of community gar-

dening in Vancouver is mirrored in otherCanadian cities such asVictoria.

Community gardens can play a vital cor-nerstone in local food security initiativesby providing an accessible commonground for vegetable growing and socialcohesion. Community gardening islargely a community led activity. Somecitizen groups form their own non-profits.

Chapter

One

Community gardensCommunity gardensCommunity gardensCommunity gardensCommunity gardens

can placan placan placan placan pla y a vital y a vital y a vital y a vital y a vital

cornerstone in localcornerstone in localcornerstone in localcornerstone in localcornerstone in local

food security initia-food security initia-food security initia-food security initia-food security initia-

tititititivvvvves bes bes bes bes b y pr y pr y pr y pr y prooooovidinvidinvidinvidinvidinggggg

an accessible com-an accessible com-an accessible com-an accessible com-an accessible com-mon ground formon ground formon ground formon ground formon ground for

vvvvveeeeegggggetable getable getable getable getable grrrrrooooowinwinwinwinwinggggg

and social cohesion.and social cohesion.and social cohesion.and social cohesion.and social cohesion.


19/107


Others come under the wing of stronger,more established community-based orga-nizations. Community-based organizationsthemselves may lobby for and build com-munity gardens to meet the needs of thepopulation they serve or they may play a

lead networking or advocacy role to en-sure that the larger community gardeningculture has a political voice. However, itappears that a coordinated approach to

community gardening in most Canadiancities is still in its infancy. This is mirroredat a national level. Unlike the US, there isno strong national umbrella organizationcoordinating and advocating for the largercommunity gardening movement. To thisday Canadian community gardeners arelinked only informally through an Internetnetwork (the Canadian Community Gar-deners Network) and e-mail. There is muchroom for this to change however. A growthand an evolution in gardening conscious-ness is occurring across Canada; it remains

to be seen exactly what role Canadian com-munity organizations will play and howthey are championing gardening as a toolfor increased food security and politicalaction.

ROOFTOP GARDENING

Canadian cities are characterized bya lack of affordable land and highdensity development. With few places togrow, people are beginning to look up. A

snap shot of any Canadian city will re-veal vast amounts of empty flat roofs, rep-resenting potential growing space in cit-ies. In Europe, where sprawl is no

longer possible, city planners haveadopted rooftop greening out of neces-sity. Some German municipalities havedecreed by law that new industrial build-ings must have green roofs; Swiss citiesregulate that new construction must recre-

Urban Food

Production

TTTTThe use ofhe use ofhe use ofhe use ofhe use of rrrrrooftopooftopooftopooftopooftop

gggggararararardens fardens fardens fardens fardens farminminminminminggggg

spaces has considerspaces has considerspaces has considerspaces has considerspaces has consider

able potential toable potential toable potential toable potential toable potential to

produce substancia produce substancia produce substancia produce substancia produce substancia

amounts of food anamounts of food anamounts of food anamounts of food anamounts of food an

contribue to a sus-contribue to a sus-contribue to a sus-contribue to a sus-contribue to a sus-tainable urban entainable urban entainable urban entainable urban entainable urban envivivivivi

ronment.ronment.ronment.ronment.ronment.

ate the displaced green space. Even exist-ing buildings must convert 20% of their roofspace into greenery.

As with community gardening, the benefitsof rooftop greening are numerous. One typeof rooftop greening is a vegetation roofcovered with moss or hardy grass for aes-

thetic or insulation purposes. Another type,the roof garden, can be used as a labora-tory for experimentation, an outdoor placefor play and performance, a school gardenor just a quiet place to read and write(Kuhn, date unknown: 17). One might addincreased food production to this list.

While use of rooftop space is appealing,there are several factors that need to betaken into account. The load-bearing ca-pacity of the roof is critical. As one cubicfoot of wet earth weighs approximately

100 lb., the garden design and structuralcapacity must be compatible. The roofmust also be waterproof and have an ef-fective irrigation and drainage system. Theextreme microclimate of the rooftop canmake growing difficult. Wind breaks andhardy plants suited to a hot and sunnyenvironment become necessary.

These obstacles can be overcome. Theresources do exist to turn rooftops intourban gardens. Changing regulations inEurope have spawned a whole new in-dustry which specialized in lightweightgrowing mediums, filter cloths, roofingmembranes, plant stock and how-to booksand kits (Rooftop Garden Resource Groupfact sheet). While it is largely hidden frompublic view, many Canadian enterprisesand organizations are beginning to ex-periment with the roof as a place to growfood. In Vancouver the EnvironmentalYouth Alliance just completed building agarden on the roof of the VanCity Placefor Youth. Torontos Royal York Hotelgrows fresh herbs and spices on their roof.

The Rooftop Garden Resource Group hashelped establish numerous gardens onroofs of the Metro Toronto area. The useof Rooftop garden as farming spaces hasconsiderable potential to produce substan-tial amounts of food and contribute to asustainable urban environment.

CHALLENGES

Community gardeningis currently experienc-

ing a revival in cities

across Canada.


20/107


C A S E S T U D Y

Chapter

One

CASE STUDY 2: ECO-INITIATIVES (MONTREAL)

Through comprehensive programming, Eco-Initiatives works to improve accessibility to

food among the elderly and low-income population of Montreal. They teach people

how to garden and coordinate a sharing backyard program as well as an organic CSAproject involving 20 farmers. They have partnered with community health clinics to imple-ment projects in pre-natal health, nutrition education and community kitchens. Eco-Initia-tives has international links with community gardening initiatives in Cuba and will be

working closely with a Cuban specialist in setting up their permaculture demonstrationgarden.

For more information, contact: 5590 Sherbrook St. W., Montreal, PQ H4A 1W3 Tel:(514) 484-4129 Fax: (514) 484-4277 E-mail: [email protected]

CASE STUDY 3: MENNONITE CENTERFOR NEWCOMERS (EDMONTON)

Established in 1995, this community group works with immigrants to establish communitygardens on old railway sites. They are developing a network of 8 gardens. The commu-

nity connections, increased self-reliance and the ability to grow specific cultural foodsall play a role in helping immigrant families adjust to life in Canada. The MennoniteCentre for Newcomers is also spearheading the Immigrant Bio-diversity Conservation

Project; they work with the Canadian Green Bank to facilitate the process of immigrantsbringing seeds into Canada.

For more information, contact: Anne-Marie Brose, 101-10010-107A Ave., Edmonton, ABT5H-4H8 Tel: (403) 423-9693 Fax: (403) 424-7736

CASE STUDY 4: GREENEST CITY (TORONTO)

Greenest City works on action-oriented greening projects to ensure the livability of thecity and health of urban dwellers. One of their current initiatives is a multicultural green-

ing project working primarily with East Asian communities to gain access to unused landand develop community gardens. In 1998 Greenest City worked with eight immigrantcommunities to support garden creation, maintenance and food production. This year

the Francis Beaver Community Gardens, 1000 square feet of land divided into 26 plots,produced three harvests a season of bok choy, kai lan, green onions, tong auo and

other Chinese vegetables. The garden is administered and run by the Francis BeavorManor, a metro housing seniors building. It continues to provide support and resources.

Greenest City recently published an information package on urban food productioninitiatives in Ontario Feeding the City From The Back Forty: Case Studies in Regional andUrban Food Production and A Guide to Resources in Sustainable Food and Transporta-

tion Systems.

For more information, contact: Monica Tang, 238 Queen St. W., Lower Level, Toronto,

ON M5V 1Z7 Tel: (416) 977-8659 Fax: (416) 392-6650 E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.web.net/~greenest


21/107


Urban Food

Production

Communities areCommunities areCommunities areCommunities areCommunities are

rrrrrecoecoecoecoecognizingnizingnizingnizingnizin g the g the g the g the g the

imporimporimporimporimportance oftance oftance oftance oftance of eeeeex-x-x-x-x-

posinposinposinposinposing cg cg cg cg childrhildrhildrhildrhildrenenenenen

raised in cities to araised in cities to araised in cities to araised in cities to araised in cities to a

farfarfarfarfarm em em em em experiencexperiencexperiencexperiencexperience.....Urban farms canUrban farms canUrban farms canUrban farms canUrban farms can

provide this oppor- provide this oppor- provide this oppor- provide this oppor- provide this oppor-

tunitytunitytunitytunitytunity.....

URBAN GARDENINGAND URBAN

FARMS

A cross Canada in every city urbanbackyard gardening is a widespreadpractice. Depending on climate, in someareas (such as southern coastal zones)

we are able to garden year round. Thebackyard or kitchen garden is still preva-lent in many households even as the ur-ban landscape changes. Communitybased organizations are working in theirregions to ensure that as urbanization andits accompanying densification occurs,that there are still opportunities for gar-dening. Some of this work is through or-ganizing community gardens, or rooftopgardens as has been mentioned, but thereare also programs to assist people to cre-ate backyard, or balcony gardens. TheHomeGrown Gardening Program ofLifeCycles in Victoria BC is such a pro-gram. It has enabled over fifty low-in-come Victorians to create home gardensas well as assisting them with ongoingorganic gardening advice. This programis based on the Kitchen Gardens Projectmodel from Olympia, Washington.

Another innovative way for apartmentdwellers to access land has been throughSharing Backyards programs such asthose coordinated by LifeCycles and Eco

Initiatives of Montreal. This program al-lows apartment dwellers or those with-out access to land to share nearbyneighbors backyards. Not only does thisencourage better utilization of urbanbackyards but also has community build-ing potential. FarmFolk/CityFolks Gar-den and Land Access Directory inVancouver is a database, which also sup-ports these kinds of linkages.

While apparent anomalies against a mod-ern urban backdrop, Urban Farms are

gaining attention. While they are pre-dominantly initiated by individual house-holds, many tend to become neighbor-hood gathering spots as people come byto look over the fence at the chickens ordrop off compost. Communities are rec-ognizing the importance of exposing chil-dren raised in cities to a farm experi-ence. Urban farms can provide this op-portunity. The Inner City Youth Works, an

organization that works with the Victoriastreet youth community has recently takenover an urban farm for its programs. Lackof coherent government support for urbanfood production methods is common.Many community garden initiatives arefaced with fragmented support in munici-palities. While departments do offer im-portant services, often overall coordina-tion is lacking. Identification of a lead de-partment to coordinate across health,planning and recreation departments, forexample, is a necessary step towards in-creasing urban food security.


22/107


C A S E S T U D Y

Chapter

OneCASE STUDY 5: ROOFTOP GARDEN RESOURCE GROUP (TORONTO)

This organization aims to create a rooftop gardening culture in Metropolitan Toronto

through public education, community action, and the media awareness. The group is

made up of landscape architects, permaculture designers, engineers and urban plan-ners. They are committed to making Torontos environment a greener and healthier placeto live through supporting urban food production, improving air quality, increasing birdhabitats, and promoting diverse use of space. To this end they partner with community

groups such as schools, food security organizations, fledging enterprises and publichousing initiatives to help design, build and maintain rooftop gardens. They produce a

map of rooftop gardens in Toronto, conduct tours of the urban rooftop landscape andmaintain a list of professionals with expertise in building rooftop gardens. For those

interested in building a rooftop garden, the Rooftop Garden Resource Group has aquestionnaire to introduce the perspective gardener to the issues involved in setting up agarden, fact sheets for $10 per package and a resource library.

For more information, contact: Monica Kuhn, 14 Sackville Place, Toronto ON M4 X 1A4

Tel: (416) 923- 9034 Fax: (416) 923-0875

Reasons to Rooftop Garden...Reasons to Rooftop Garden...Reasons to Rooftop Garden...Reasons to Rooftop Garden...Reasons to Rooftop Garden...

Insulate buildings

Increase habitat for birds

Delay storm water runoff

Support urban food production

Improve air quality and reduce CO2emissions

Promote individual, community, and cultural diversity

Increase the value of buildings for owners and tenants alike

Increase access to private outdoor green space within the urban environment

Create job opportunities in the field of research, design, construction, landscap-ing, gardening, health and food production.


23/107


pal compost programs, grey water recyclingsystems and sewage treatment programs.Cooperation between health, engineering,parks and recreation and planning depart-ments is required to establish regulationsand systems to reflect the importance ofurban food production.

These barriers are few among the manyto increasing urban food production.

Robert Barrs (1997) gives a compre-hensive analysis of the food pro-

duction system in Vancouver,calling for improved munici-pal initiatives in areas ofcommunity land trusts, educa-tional resource persons, mar-keting mechanisms for urbangardeners and emphasis on or-ganic methods of productionamong other recommendations.

In Canadian munici-palities, there ismuch room for urbanplanners to work

alongside communityorganizations to improvefood production and ac-cessibility.

Community organizationsare able to facilitate and

work in partnership with many mu-nicipal initiatives. Beyond putting

food security on the politicalagenda, they provide models

of alternative food-accessmechanisms, are po-

sitioned to educatethe public aboutissues of foodsecurity andshould be instru-mental con-tributors to anymunicipal ac-tion to food se-

curity. For ur-ban food pro-duction to flour-ish, a coordi-

nated response by both community orga-nizations and municipal leaders is neces-sary.

The revival in community gardeningculture and recent experiments withrooftop gardening clearly points out thatCanadian urban dwellers are interestedand engaging in forms of urban food pro-duction. For urban food production toflourish, local governments and commu-nity groups in many Canadian cities needto address a number of existing andemerging challenges.

Existing bylaws and policy oftenprevent urban agriculture alter-natives such as commercialgreenhouses, nurseries or urbanfarms with small livestock.Such policies reflect general at-titudes that separate the urbanfrom the rural along the lines offood production. These laws canbe reversed to look at rezoning

for urban food production.Zoning changes is anindicator that the po-tential for urban foodproduction is beingtaken seriously. Landaccess and tenure is acommon challenge forcommunity gardens. Mu-nicipalities could help en-sure the viability of urbanagriculture initiatives, communityand rooftop gardening among oth-ers, by zoning for urban food pro-duction, designate publicspace in parklands for thepurpose of producingfood, or requiringd e v e l o p m e n tprojects to inte-grate food produc-ing space into theirproposals.

Waste-manage-ment represents

another challengeto increased urbanfood production.M u n i c i p a l i t i e sacross Canada are working in positiveways towards more coordinated and effi-cient waste-

management programs. Urban food pro-duction could be integrated into munici-

Urban Food

Production

ExistinExistinExistinExistinExisting bg bg bg bg bylaylaylaylaylaws andws andws andws andws and

policpolicpolicpolicpolic y often pr y often pr y often pr y often pr y often preeeeevvvvvenenenenen

urban aurban aurban aurban aurban agggggriculturriculturriculturriculturricultureeeee

alteralteralteralteralternatinatinatinatinativvvvves suces suces suces suces such ash ash ash ash as

commercial green-commercial green-commercial green-commercial green-commercial green-

houseshouseshouseshouseshouses,,,,, nurnurnurnurnurseries orseries orseries orseries orseries orurban farms withurban farms withurban farms withurban farms withurban farms with

small lismall lismall lismall lismall livvvvvestocestocestocestocestock. Suck. Suck. Suck. Suck. Suc

policies reflect gen policies reflect gen policies reflect gen policies reflect gen policies reflect gen

eral attitudes thateral attitudes thateral attitudes thateral attitudes thateral attitudes that

separate the urbanseparate the urbanseparate the urbanseparate the urbanseparate the urban

frfrfrfrfrom the rom the rom the rom the rom the rural alonural alonural alonural alonural alon

the lines of foodthe lines of foodthe lines of foodthe lines of foodthe lines of food

production.production.production.production.production.


24/107


C O N T A C T G R O U P S

URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION:

Bytowne Urban Gardens

# 303 - 352 Somerset St. W

Ottawa, ON K2P 0J9Tel: (613) 234-0387Fax: (613) [email protected] HodgsonBUGS coordinates 2 community gardens in the down-town area of Ottawa. BUGS is a good contact for theloose network of community gardens in the Ottawa-Carleton area and is linked with a wide variety oflocal community groups working on food issues.

Canadian Community Gardens Network

http://wabikimi.carleton.ca/~wmunroe.Find here the beginning of a comprehensive listing ofgardens across Canada. The gardens are listed by firstby province and then by city. Contacts and location

are provided.

Community Garden Resource Group

c/o Calgary Horticultural Society208-50th Ave., SW.Calgary, AB T2S 2S1Tel: (403) 287-3469Fax: (403) 287-2896Athena DoreyNetwork and information clearinghouse on commu-nity gardens in the Calgary area.

Community Gardens in BC:

http://www.cityfarmer.org.A list of community gardens in the Greater Vancouverregion and the City of Victoria is provided with the

garden location, contact person, garden size andcharges, if applicable.

Community Gardens in Ontario

http://www.icangarden.com/gardens.Here is a list of allotment gardens available in cities

in Ontario. Garden contacts are listed in 20 cities inOntario with basic information about plots, size ofgardens and charges, if applicable.

Eco-Initiatives

5590 Sherbrook St. WMontreal, PQ H4A 1W3Tel: (514) 484-4129Fax: (514) 484-4277E-mail: [email protected]

This organization works in several areas including:community gardening, a sharing backyard program,and a CSA project. They have partnered with com-munity health clinics to focus on pre-natal nutritionand health.

Chapter

One

Environmental Youth Alliance

PO Box 34097 Station DVancouver, BC V6J 4M1Tel: (604) 689-4463Fax: (604) 689-4242

Doug [email protected] Environmental Youth Alliance are the stewardsof the Cottonwood Youth Garden, a permaculturedemonstration garden and training site for youth skilldevelopment projects. They have also built a roof-top garden. They are currently exploring partnershipinitiatives with southern counterparts in Mexicoaround food security issues.

Greenest City

238 Queen St. W., Lower LevelToronto, ON M5V 1Z7Tel: (416) 977-8659Fax: (416) 392-6650E-mail: [email protected]

Monica TangGreenest City recently facilitated a multiculturalgreening project working primarily with Eastern Asiancommunities to develop community gardens. Green-est City also works to incorporate composting facili-ties at the community gardening sites.

Grow Regina Community Gardens

Community Services DepartmentSocial Development DivisionQueen Elizabeth II CourtBox 1790Regina Saskatchewan S4P 3C8Tel: (306) 777-7546Fax: (306) [email protected]

Paul VialaThe City of Regina has eight different garden siteswith over 700 plots. The largest garden Grow Reginahas 250 garden plots and can produce food for 1,100people. The city provides administrative support,equipment, soil, water, and site facilities in additionto technical advice.

Halifax Community Gardens

Recreation and Leisure ServicesHalifax Regional MunicipalityPO Box 1749Halifax, NS B3J 3A5Tel: (902) 490-4731Fax: (902) 490-4736

Janet Landry

The municipality coordinates several community gar-dens and collective kitchens under the recreationdepartment.


25/107


C O N T A C T G R O U P S

London Community Gardens Project

50 King St.London, ON N6A 5L7Tel: (519) 663-5317 ext. 2556Fax: (519) 663-9581

Mary YanfulThis urban gardening project has overseen the de-velopment of six sites in the area as well as expand-ing public education about food security throughworkshops, farm tours and U-Pick trips.

Loyola Arupe Rooftop Garden

515 Parkside DriveToronto, ON M6R 3B1Tel: (416) 766-7977Peter BolandThis 1995 partnership project between the Four Vil-lages Community Health Centre and the Seniors Cen-tre produced a community gardening space. Throughthe use of containers, this garden provides fresh foodand outdoor space for residents of nearby non-profit

housing, seniors, and community members. They arenow developing a rooftop greenhouse for the gar-den.

Mennonite Center for Newcomers

101-10010-107A Ave.Edmonton, AB T5H-4H8Tel: (403) 423-9693Fax: (403) 424-7736Anne-Marie BroseThis group is working with immigrants establish com-munity gardens, seed conservation and a garden net-work in the Edmonton area.

Montreal Community Gardening Program

Recreation, Parks and Community Development De-

partment5319 Notre Dame de Grace Ave.,Montreal, PQ H4A 1L2Tel: (514) 872-6363Fax: (514) 872-4585Michel ConfortateThe City of Montreal has 73 gardens that are coordi-nated by the Recreation, Parks and Community De-velopment Department. The City supplies land,equipment, supplies, water and technical support.The Botanical Department offers courses on organicgardening, and has youth and childrens horticultureand natural science programs.

Parkland Healthy Families Association

5413 51 St.

PO Box 2695Stony Plain, AB T7Z 1Y2Tel: (403) 963-0549Fax: (403) 963-3876Susan PenstoneThis organization runs a project to improve familyhealth by involving them in the gardening program.They are also involved with building a regional com-munity gardening network.

Rooftop Garden Resource Group

14 Sackville PlaceToronto, ON M4 X 1A4Tel: (416) 923-9034Fax: (416) 923-0875

Monica KuhnA resource group dedicated to establishing a rooftopgardening culture through public education and com-munity action. Available from the Rooftop GardenResource Group is a questionnaire to introduce theperspective gardener to the issues involved in settingup a garden, fact sheets and a resource library.

The Urban Farm

1032/1038 Mason St.Victoria, BC V8R 6P5Tel: (250) 920-0257In downtown Victoria, this farm holds old growth fruit -bearing trees, vegetable produce, and over 50 chick-ens, ducks, geese and turkeys. Produce is distributedlocally and it is open to visitors and for compost drop-

off.

Winnipeg Community Gardens

Athletic Facilities and Park booking Services1539 Waverly St.Winnipeg, MBTel:(204) 986-2665Fax:(204) 986-7510Barb ColitzThe City of Winnipeg has between 580-630 allotmentplots available for a small fee. There are also two largecommunity gardens and many small ones.

Urban Food

Production


26/107

Chapter

One


27/107

C H A P T E R T W O

UUUUURBRBRBRBRBANANANANAN FFFFFOODOODOODOODOOD PPPPPRODUCTIORODUCTIORODUCTIORODUCTIORODUCTIONNNNN

TTTTTECHNOLOGIESECHNOLOGIESECHNOLOGIESECHNOLOGIESECHNOLOGIES


28/107


29/107


C A S E S T U D Y

Urban Food

Production

Technologies

CASE STUDY 6: ANNEX ORGANICS (TORONTO)

Established in 1996, Annex Organics is a socially and environmentally responsible enter-prise dedicated to producing high quality, organic food in urban environments. Annex

Organics specializes in food production and alternative technology development; foodis produced using rooftop gardening, greenhouse and living machine techniques.

Working on a 5000 square foot roof, Annex Organics has been developing growingsystems for commercial, rooftop food production. They have tested a variety of roof-

top growing systems including a passive hybrid hydroponics system alongside moreconventional soil cultivation. They are currently experimenting with a container method

of growing plants to ensure roof loading capacity.

In partnership with Field to Table and the Latin American Environmental Group, Annex

Organics recently built a rooftop greenhouse. The 600 square foot greenhouse housessprout, herb, vegetable and heirloom plant seedlings. Seedlings are used in the rooftopgarden, sold to other growers or to local restaurants and food distributors. Made with

many recycled materials, the greenhouse was constructed for $2500 including design

and labour costs.

Annex Organics develops multi-purpose and non-capital intensive technologies for food

production. The living machine is an example of a simple self-contained eco-systemconstructed with three components: fish, filter and plant tanks. Fish swim in plastic bar-rels; their waste is converted into useful nutrients by microorganisms in the filter tank.

These nutrients are taken up by the hydroponically grown plants; the water filtersthrough the plant system and drains into the fish tanks on a gravity feed system. These

living machines could be applied to larger scale commercial food production, for foodproduction in the home or as education tools in schools.

In addition to experimenting with innovative growing techniques, Annex Organics man-ages a certified organic sprouting operation that supplies sprouts to local retailers,

caterers and food box programs. The sprouts are grown on a hydroponics sproutingunit, built with reclaimed pallets and salvaged buckets, and produce between 600-700

packages of sprouts each week.

Working with community-based organizations, Annex Organics provides consulting, de-

sign and education services. They offer workshops on sprouting, heritage seeds andseed saving, rooftop gardening, wet waste and greenhouse management, permacultureand food systems. They conduct practical, hands-on workshops on a variety of garden-

ing topics and have begun to design gardens in the cities.

Future plans for Annex Organics include establishing several productive, consistent growingtechnologies, exploring potential city markets for unique produce, and continuing edu-cation work with the model of low-risk low capital business venture.

For more information, contact: Lauren Baker or Tracey Loverock, Annex Organics, 200

Eastern Ave., Toronto, ON M5A 1J1 Tel: (416) 363-6441 Fax: (416) 363-0474 E-mail:[email protected]

... Annex organics has been developing growing

systems for commercial, rooftop food production.


30/107


Permanent culture

is a result of peoples

learning on how to

live with the web of

live and with them-

selves.

sustainability. Cities produce a vast quan-tity of potentially useful resources cur-rently regarded as waste. Leaf litter, sew-age, food wastes and yard trimmingscould all contribute to the productivity ofurban gardening efforts or local farmingoperations. Canadian cities are increas-ingly turning to on-site organic wastecomposting as an environmentallyfriendly and economically sound wastereduction option at the source. Manycommunity organizations develop educa-tional facilities where backyardcomposting techniques are demonstratedto the public.

URBAN WASTE MANAGEMENT:

COMPOSTING

F rom the perspective of ecosystemsintegrity, cities significantly alter natu-ral biogeochemicalcycles of vital nutrientsand other chemical re-sources (Rees, 1997:2).The current food systeminvolves hauling foodinto the city and haulingwastes back out, not to berecycled back into theland, but dumped in land-

fills. Unlike healthy ecosystems,in which nutrients such as phosphorus,nitrogen contained in organic waste areconverted back into energy needed for

Chapter

Two

TTTTThe whe whe whe whe wororororord,d,d,d,d,

perperperperpermaculturmaculturmaculturmaculturmacultureeeee,,,,, wwwwwasasasasas

coined by Billcoined by Billcoined by Billcoined by Billcoined by Bill

Mollison and DaMollison and DaMollison and DaMollison and DaMollison and DavidvidvidvidvidHolmgren to de-Holmgren to de-Holmgren to de-Holmgren to de-Holmgren to de-

scribe a comprehen-scribe a comprehen-scribe a comprehen-scribe a comprehen-scribe a comprehen-

sisisisisivvvvve appre appre appre appre approacoacoacoacoach toh toh toh toh to

small-scale sustain-small-scale sustain-small-scale sustain-small-scale sustain-small-scale sustain-

able aable aable aable aable agggggriculturriculturriculturriculturricultureeeee.....

PerPerPerPerPermanent amanent amanent amanent amanent agggggricul-ricul-ricul-ricul-ricul-

ture enhances theture enhances theture enhances theture enhances theture enhances the

web of life while atweb of life while atweb of life while atweb of life while atweb of life while at

the same time pro-the same time pro-the same time pro-the same time pro-the same time pro-vidinvidinvidinvidinviding fg fg fg fg food andood andood andood andood and

materials for humanmaterials for humanmaterials for humanmaterials for humanmaterials for human

lifliflifliflifeeeee.....

growing, the typical urban food system isa dead end. Along with nutrients, the cur-rent food system contributes to the degra-dation of agricultural soils and the contami-nation of the land.

GREENHOUSES

Greenhouses are commonly found inurban landscapes, where the cli-mate does not allow for year-round out-door gardening and farming. Communitygardening and rooftop sites often havegreenhouses to grow seedlings, incubatespecial varieties of plants and extend thegrowing season. There are many techni-cal paths for designing, constructing andmanaging a greenhouse. Groups such asAnnex Organics built their rooftop green-house out of recycled materials. Size,

structure and technology will vary ac-cording to the space and use. They differ

with types of plantsgrown, energy used andecosystem manage-ment. Several groupsincluding Oxfam-Canadas Halifax officeare experimenting withurban greenhouses toincubate community

gardening plants and

contribute to the urban food pro-duction infrastructure. Some organiza-tions are experimenting with organic hy-droponics systems as well.

PERMACULTURE

I ncreasingly agricutural groups, bethey rural or urban, are utilizingpermaculture techniques to grow food.The word, permaculture, was coined byBill Mollison and David Holmgren to de-

scribe a comprehensive approach tosmall-scale sustainable agriculture. Per-manent agriculture enhances the web oflife while at the same time providing foodand materials for human life. Permanentculture is a result of peoples learning onhow to live with the web of life and withthemselves. Permaculture is the con-scious design and maintenance of agri-culturally productive ecosystems which


31/107


C A S E S T U D Y

Urban Food

Production

Technologies

CASE STUDY 7: CITY FARMER (VANCOUVER)

City Farmer is one of the countrys oldest urban agriculture organizations. Established in

the 1970s, City Farmer has long advocated for homegrown, community food produc-

tion and efficient use of resources to do so. Among their many activities, City Farmerhosts a 2500 square foot demonstration garden. Opened in 1982, the garden demon-strates the quantity of food one person can grow in a city yard using intensive organicmethods of cultivation. Raised beds were later added to make the gardens accessible

for wheelchairs and demonstrate the possibilities of horticultural therapy. Since 1990the City Farmer garden has functioned as the City of Vancouvers Compost Demonstra-

tion site, featuring and testing compost options, including worm composting. City Farmernow hosts the Greater Vancouver Regional Districts compost Hotline. Through the gar-

den, City Farmer provides hands on instruction on composting, organic food gardening,and water conversation methods for the general public and school groups. The waterconservation project demonstrates the feasibility of using a rain barrel water collection

system and encourages the use of native plants to reduce water consumption. CityFarmer is now one of a dozen compost demonstration gardens in the Lower Mainland

and Fraser Valley. Director Michael Levenston is the creator of City Farmer: CanadasOffice of Urban Agriculture, a comprehensive website devoted to promoting urban

agriculture.

For more information, contact: #801 - 318 Homer St., Vancouver, BC V6B 2V3 Tel:

(604) 685-5832Hotline: (604) 736-2250 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site:www.cityfarmer.ca

CASE STUDY 8: COMPOSTING COUNCILOF CANADA (TORONTO)

The Composting Council of Canada is a national non-profit organization that serves to

advocate for and advance the use of composting to government, industry and thepublic. The Council aims to support municipal and industrial composting systems, provide

a national information network, develop markets for compost, sponsor research andeducate the public. The membership is diverse, including operators of compost systems,waste-management experts, public interest groups, research organizations, compost

system manufactures and designers and government branches. The Council hosts anannual National Conference and Meeting. The Council also sponsors National Composting

Awareness week.

For more information, contact: 16 rue Northumberland St., Toronto ON M6H 1P7 Tel:

(416) 535-0240Fax: (416) 536-9892 E-mail: [email protected]

City Farmer is oneCity Farmer is oneCity Farmer is oneCity Farmer is oneCity Farmer is one

ofofofofof the countrthe countrthe countrthe countrthe countryyyyysssss

oldest urbanoldest urbanoldest urbanoldest urbanoldest urban

argiculture organi-argiculture organi-argiculture organi-argiculture organi-argiculture organi-

zationszationszationszationszations. Established. Established. Established. Established. Established

in the 1970in the 1970in the 1970in the 1970in the 1970sssss,,,,, CityCi

urban agriculture and food security initiatives in canada

Documents