Since 2006, EcoSource has been working to bring community gardening to Peel.  2009 brings us into the second year of our new Community Gardens Program. We are proud to partner with the Multicultural Inter-Agency Group of Peel (MIAG) and the City of Mississauga on this project.  Through the Community Gardens Program, we are working to develop Community Gardens and School Learning Gardens throughout Peel Region. This initiative is generously funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. 

Fresh, organically grown vegetables, especially those used in ethnic cuisine can be hard to find or very expensive in Canada. People who immigrate to Canada often miss the fresh taste of some of their favourite foods, and may not have a suitable garden space or the expertise to grow them at home. Renting a garden plot is a great way for Peel residents to grow their favourite plants, exchange experiences with other gardeners, socialize, and expand their networks. Our community gardeners are a very diverse group. Gardeners of all ages (from toddlers to senior citizens) grow foods from all corners of the globe – the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe and North America. At garden events and pot-luck lunches we are always eager and to learn more about favourite crops and the foods that can be made from them.   

We are currently working with three community garden projects in the Region of Peel. Our largest garden, the Garden of the Valley at Mississauga Valley Park, entered its fourth season in 2009 with 39 plots of organic foods and flowers under cultivation!  EcoSource and MIAG have partnered with Punjabi Community Health Services in Brampton to help establish the Sahara Seniors Community Garden at their Airport Rd. location.  Finally, the Hillside Park Community Garden at Hillside Park in Clarkson opened for its first season in 2009.  In 2010 we look forward to supporting the establishment of more projects - visit us again soon for updates!

Over the course of the gardening season, we also offer many free public events and workshops… be sure to visit ww.ecosource.ca/freeworkshops for more information!

 

 

If you would like more information about community gardening in Peel, please contact us at communitygardens (at) ecosource.ca