UPDATE: GREAT news! Ontario has reversed its knee-jerk decision and will be allowing Ontario's community gardens to go-ahead for the 2020 season! See here for more information from Sustain Ontario.
It never occurred to me that Ontario would consider shutting down community gardens over fears of COVID-19. Self-sufficiency and food security seem more relevant now with fears of rising prices at the grocery stores, massive lay-offs, unemployment, and an uncertain future for many peoples — including vulnerable ones.
Tens of thousands of families rely on community gardens to produce food for their families each year. There has been a marked increase in demand for this service since the beginning of COVID-19 across Ontario. People throughout the province have already invested in their seeds, and started seedlings, for this growing season. Land is being negotiated to actually strengthen community gardening availability in many communities across Canada, not limit it.
Community gardens are not places where COVID-19 will flourish and spread. They are small spaces with a few dedicated members who will happily abide by safety protocols to be allowed to grow their own food. This is not a park or playground or any other space where dozens or hundreds will aimlessly congregate.
I don't remember a time working on my own garden plot when I wasn't either the only person there at that time, or one of only a couple, all of us naturally staying well enough away from each other as we worked on our individual garden plots.
So when I got the email that community gardens in Ontario were officially being shut down — it was a complete surprise.
It was the last thing I thought they would target as being risky behaviour.
It was a relief when I saw the petition from Sustain Ontario being circulated — common sense was prevailing for many. Maybe this is just oversight on the part of the Ontario government but we still need to make our opinions and voices heard if we want to elicit change.
What about the people that rely on these gardens?
I'm not shy about talking about my childhood spent in poverty.
And just because my circumstances have changed for the better, doesn't mean that there aren't those who rely on community gardens to feed themselves and their families.
One of the things that struck my mother as so odd about our new home in Canada when we first immigrated was how much land people had — HUGE backyards — and they did nothing with them!
The yards were purely decorative and often completely neglected and ignored.
We didn't have a yard growing up (and I live in a condo now) but my mother would have jumped on the chance to get a community garden plot when I was a child.
In our home country of Croatia, most yards are used to grow food and ornamentals side by side – and the people rely on the food they produce. They press their own olive oil from the olive trees they tend, they make their own wine from their grapes, they make jams and preserves fro the abundant fruit, they grow healthy organic greens that feed their families through the season. Backyard chickens and even goats are common and normal to see.
The climate here may be vastly different from Mediterranean Croatia, and our growing season in Canada may be substantially shorter — but my first year with my own garden plot left me shocked at just how much I was able to produce on such a small piece of land. All of it organic, most of it impossible to find at any grocery store or farmer's market.
I still have several jars of my own canned tomatoes in the pantry from last year.
The fact is that community gardens can absolutely help with food security for individuals and communities.
And during these uncertain economic times when so many people are laid-off and living off of 55% of their income, no end in sight, unable to pay their rent or mortgages in some cases? It can become crucial.
I was looking forward to sharing my own bounty. Last year my little garden plot was so productive that there was more than I could reasonably eat before it spoiled. I gave so much food away. This year I may not be able to do that if this shut down remains in place.
And literally TONNES of food is donated to food banks by community gardens each year. What happens to them?
The fact of the matter is that we should be encouraging community gardening and a resurgence of victory gardens during these unprecedented times — NOT shutting them down.
Safe Social Distancing In A Community Garden Is Simple
A community garden space is not like a playground or park. It is not a place where dozens or hundreds congregate.
Establishing safe social distancing rules while allowing people to get fresh air and some exercise while they grow their own food is straightforward in a community garden.
At it's simplest, only allow a certain number of people in at a time. First come, first serve.
Or establish a schedule where gardeners can pick and choose from various time slots that can accommodate their schedules.
Whatever decisions are made by garden organizers, whatever safety steps and precautions are taken, the point is that they are simple to implement and easy to follow. Community gardens don't typically have a large membership — these are small spaces.
To Doug Ford and all Members of Provincial Parliament in Ontario:
Everyone is working hard, and we are trusting this is just an oversight, but please immediately remove outdoor community gardens from the list of closures for recreation activities released March 30, 2020, and place them on the list of essential food services in Ontario.
Tens of thousands of families rely on community gardens to produce food for their families each year. There has been a marked increase in demand for this service since the beginning of COVID-19 across Ontario. People throughout the province have already invested in their seeds, and started seedlings, for this growing season. Land is being negotiated to actually strengthen community gardening availability in many communities across Canada, not limit it.
This model of community food production is seen as integral to the COVID-19 response in countries throughout the world, particularly as food prices increase and global food supplies are increasingly uncertain. Food banks also receive literally tonnes of much needed fresh food from local community gardening efforts in communities all around Ontario.
Members of Ontario Community Growing Network (OCGN)—including representatives of public health departments—are working to achieve safety protocols informed by public safety requirements. Community agencies involved in community gardens are partners in communicating critical public health messages to our communities, and we all take safety seriously.
Please take immediate action today to clarify for everyone in Ontario that community gardening is an essential food service.
Thank you very much!
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