Community gardening is contributing to food self-sufficiency in Newfoundland and Labrador. This year – with help from increased funding for the Community Garden Support Program – friends and neighbours in 134 community gardens, including 20 in Labrador, worked together to grow fresh food for their families. Forty-four new gardens were established in 2021, and 90 others were enhanced.
The Community Garden Support Program invests $100,000 annually into non-repayable grants to help eligible municipalities, schools and community groups establish and enhance new and existing community gardens. In 2021, the maximum available grant increased from $500 to $750. In 2020, the program funded 124 projects to help establish 39 new community gardens and enhance 85 existing community gardens, compared to 101 projects funded in 2019.
The Community Garden Support Program was established in 2019 to increase:
- Food self-sufficiency;
- Access to fresh foods;
- Consumption of fruits and vegetables; and
- Awareness and appreciation of the importance of local food production and the agriculture sector.
More than 7,600 people participated in, and benefited from, this program in 2021, including youth, seniors, and Indigenous groups. This compares to nearly 6,000 people who were involved in the program in 2020 and 3,500 people in 2019. For more information on the Community Garden Support Program, please call 709-637-2474 or email CGSP@gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“In a year of challenges, it’s been wonderful to see so many people from all walks of life coming together to grow their own fruits and vegetables in community gardens spread across the province. In typical Newfoundland and Labrador style, community gardeners are sharing the load and working together to provide healthy food for their families, and creating social connections that will last a lifetime.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“I am so impressed by the results of this year’s Community Gardens Support Program, and the people of all ages who came together in their gardens to share their knowledge and skills – and more than a few stories – while promoting healthy eating and improving food self-sufficiency. Congratulations on a great harvest.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
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Learn more
2021-22 Community Garden Support Program
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Linda Skinner
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca