News
GREENBELT-GROWN WORLD CROPS FEED THE GTA - The Stop Community Food Centre, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and Greenbelt farmers partner to grow fruits and vegetables from around the world
July 26, 2010
The Stop Community Food Centre, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, and the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association are pleased to announce $88,000 from the Greenbelt Foundation to diversify food production in Ontario’s Greenbelt.
Rhonda Teitel‐Payne, The Stop’s Urban Agriculture Manager said, "The goal of this project is to strengthen the viability of farming in the Greenbelt by helping farmers access new markets created by the expanding population of immigrants in the GTA, supporting them in growing crops from around the world and connecting them with immigrant consumers and urban community food organizations."For this initiative, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has identified five different fruits and vegetables that have traditionally been imported but can be successfully grown in southern Ontario. Ahmed Bilal, project lead at Vineland, is determining optimal cultivation and harvesting procedures for callaloo, fuzzy melon, okra, eggplant and yard long beans.
"We have every reason to increase crop production and diversification in Ontario and become more responsive to what the consumer wants. This project bridges the gap between production opportunities in the Greenbelt and market demand in the GTA," said Dr. Jim Brandle, CEO, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.
Produce grown as part of the project will be distributed through Toronto‐based community food programs and markets such as The Stop. Participants in The Stop’s new Global Roots Garden, a demonstration garden featuring food typically grown by seven of Toronto’s major ethnic communities, will provide their own horticultural knowledge, inspection and taste‐testing of the crops.
Urban growers will also have opportunities to visit Greenbelt farms and exchange experiences. "At The Stop we feel these types of projects are absolutely necessary if we want both the farmland and the farmers to be there to feed our city in the future," said Rhonda Teitel‐Payne.This project follows a four‐year initiative led by Peter Mitchell at the University of Guelph’s Centre for Land and Water Stewardship, where Greenbelt tours were held for GTA immigrant communities and five new ethnic crops were demonstrated on Greenbelt farms. The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association will assist by facilitating relationships between growers and consumers and sharing information across the province.
About The Stop Community Food Centre
Located in Toronto’s west end, The Stop Community Food Centre works to increase access to food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequality. From its origins as one of Canada’s first food banks, The Stop has blossomed into a thriving community hub where neighbours participate in a broad range of programs that provide healthy food, as well as foster social connections, build food skills and promote engagement in civic issues. Underlying all of The Stop’s efforts is the view that food should be a basic human right.
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is an independent, not‐for‐profit organization that was created to be a world‐class centre for horticultural science and innovation. In its capacity to enable and foster relationships with industry, academia and government, Vineland works to deliver premium product and production innovations. Vineland brings a global perspective to the Canadian horticulture industry and offers a broad range of lasting benefits to stakeholders both locally and internationally.
About Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) is the umbrella organization for 28 commodity‐based farm associations in the province. The OFVGA serves as the official representative for the province's fruit and vegetable sector to national and international bodies.
Further information:
Jason McBride, Communications Coordinator, The Stop Community Food Centre, 416‐948‐3493, jason@thestop.orgIsabel Dopta, Director, Communications and Stakeholder Relations Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, 905‐562‐0320, Ext. 791, isabel.dopta@vinelandresearch.com
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