A team made up of Gathering Place staff and volunteers is happily reporting that their hard work has paid off in the form of a record-breaking harvest.
The community garden located at the bottom of the hill on Algonquin Avenue not only benefits members of our community but has become a labour of love for many who contribute throughout planting, growing and harvesting seasons.
The 210-pound harvest is the most plentiful in one session at the Gathering Place Community Garden so far this summer. The team is hopeful they can surpass last year’s grand harvest total of 3,330 pounds and garden manager assistant Roxanne Denne says record sessions like Monday’s make the goal attainable. With 1,690 pounds harvested to date, the team is well on its way.
Denne says the garden located at the corner of Algonquin Avenue and McLaren Street is a true team effort, with various volunteers who contribute and help in the garden when they can, including clients from the Gathering Place.
The Monday harvest featured broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, Swiss chard, parsley, basil, eggplant, green peppers, green onions, beans, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, apples, beets and beet tops.
Denne, who also serves as a liaison between the kitchen and garden, says “all harvested vegetables are either brought directly to the kitchen at the Gathering Place for use in meals, given out in bags at curbside or linked into our food rescue program and distributed to various other community partners who serve meals.”
New volunteers are welcome to join whenever the gates at 580 Algonquin Avenue are open or may join formally by signing up online. New volunteers can also sign up by emailing Roxanne Denne or by calling/texting 705.358.6958. Volunteer opportunities are scheduled Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am-11:00am or 1:00pm-3:00pm.
The Gathering Place says the garden is open to the public to tour anytime or to use as a safe space or rest area when the gates are open.
