Canada: Duncan’s downtown farm grows more than just produce
The space should be a blueprint for other cities, urban farmer Laura Boyd-Clowes says.
By Sophie Andre
The Discourse
May 20, 2021
Excerpt:
The Kinsmen Park Community Gardens have 30 private raised garden beds accessible to in the community. In an interview, Boyd-Clowes explained community gardens are an excellent option for individuals and families who may be looking to grow fresh produce but don’t have access to an outdoor space, a very common situation in cities.
There is currently a waitlist for garden space, which costs $30 to $60 annually to rent, Boyd-Clowes says.
“Most of the bed owners are local residents,” Boyd-Clowes says, pointing out that the garden is surrounded by apartments and the local high school.
The most obvious of these benefits is access to fresh and healthy produce. Recently, COVID-19 has made discussions about food security all the more vital. Last May, almost one in seven Canadians experienced some food insecurity due to financial constraints. Food insecure people may suffer from malnutrition and consume more low-cost products that are high in energy, sugar, and fats, which could lead to potential health problems.
“There are so many benefits to [community gardens],” Boyd-Clowes adds. “The [first] benefit is to the people who live in these houses the students who go to this high school. This space is beautiful. It’s peaceful.”
“They can come here and eat fresh food [or] enjoy healthy activities.”