Did you know that Clean North is a major player in several of the city’s community gardens? Our volunteers are helping to grow fresh, healthy food at several locations across the city:
- St. Mary’s College Garden, 13 beds
- Neighbourhood Resource Centre, six beds
- Etienne Brule Community Garden, six beds
- People’s Garden, Algoma University, 13 (plus act as garden advisor)
- Emmaus Community Garden, six beds (and manage composting operation)
- Forest Heights Community Garden, two beds
The pandemic has helped highlight the importance of growing food locally, especially with distribution networks affected and more people out of work. Produce from the Clean-North-led garden beds goes to local nonprofits that serve people in need, such as Harvest Algoma and Grocer 4 Good, which was recently delighted to receive 60 pounds of potatoes that Clean North volunteers grew and harvested at Etienne Brule.
We at Clean North would like to give a shout out to those who donated seeds and starter plants, both businesses such as New North Greenhouses and individuals. We are also very grateful for all the volunteers who help weed, water, harvest, and deliver. Volunteering is a great way to get out of the house, get some fresh air and exercise, and help your community while still social distancing…especially for high school students needing to earn their volunteer hours. No experience needed — we will teach you all you need to know. And it’s just fun and rewarding to see plants grow and produce food!
If you can’t volunteer your time but have a home vegetable garden or a fruit tree that is producing more than you can eat, we encourage you to share it with local food banks. Harvest Algoma accepts food donations on weekdays during business hours. They now have a chef who can do canning! Connect the Dots accepts produce donations on Saturdays at the end of both the Algoma and Mill farmers market hours, making sure these offerings get to people in need in our community via food banks.
Got a question about Clean North? We want to hear from you! Contact us at info@cleannorth.org, (705) 945-1573.
Want to volunteer for Clean North? Contact us at volunteer@cleannorth.org, (705) 945-1573. Give us an idea of what you’d like to do and when you are available.
