Neighbourhood Tomato Garden

 

‘Faith-infused gardens are like arks, built to carry us to perhaps not a land of milk and honey, but to more resilient communities, to more powerful fellowship with our neighbours. We would do well to build more of them.’ ~ Soil and Sacrament, Fred Bahnson

The Neighbourhood Tomato garden boxes are all booked up for the 2019 season. However, there is still an opportunity to support the collective efforts to ensure we provide fresh produce to the West Carleton Food Access Centre during the harvesting months. If you can assist the Neighbourhood Tomato with caring for the collaborative gardens and/or could help deliver harvested veggies to the WCFAC a couple of times during the summer please contact Michelle Rehkopf at: michellerehkopf@rogers.com

‘Food is the physical embodiment of prayer. Food nourishes people. It is creating justice on all the different levels. It is how you reach people’ ~ Soil and Sacrament, Fred Bahnson

2019 marks the first fifth growing season of The Neighbourhood Tomato West Carleton! Over 14 garden beds grow amazing fresh produce for families and community members of our local Food Access Centre. The garden continues to grow and add features.  In the spring of 2018 a new garden shed was installed to provide space for tools, a chalkboard for communication, and a porch for rainy days.  A new open garden bed was also added.  This year the pollinator garden added last summer will be even more beautiful with the addition of some new annual flowers and the planting of some perennial flowers as well. 

In addition to the garden allotments signed out to families and individuals, there are collaborative garden sections where volunteers help plant, nurture and grow food that is harvested and donated to the West Carleton Food Access Centre.

Garden coordinator, Michelle Rehkopf says;  “What I like best about the Neighbourhood Tomato is that not only does it allow people of all ages and abilities to get out and build new connections and learn about growing their own food but that we have successfully provided fresh vegetables to families and individuals in need. The garden has become a great place to be community in Carp’

Located beside the Carp fairgrounds on land donated to the project by the Anglican Parish of Huntley, the garden features prepared raised beds, embedded irrigation equipment and all the tools and other materials required to operate each plot, free of charge.

Individuals, families or groups who are signed up for garden beds plant and grow healthy food, and often learn and share knowledge from their garden neighbours.  They and anyone else who wishes can also volunteer to help plant, tend and harvest the collaborative plots where a range of produce is grown entirely for donation.

The Neighbourhood Tomato Community Garden is a wonderful partnership with the Almonte and Carleton Place Neighbourhood Tomato Gardens and has been financially supported by generous donations from various organizations and individuals.