Niagara community garden provides relief amid high food costs

One Niagara organization is trying to break down barriers for community members who are feeling the pinch with the high cost of food.

At a pop-up market in Crystal Beach, all the food is provided by United Way’s Community Garden Network.

The idea is simple, grow food locally at two community gardens and feed people.

The Community Garden Network started two years ago with only one at Niagara College, but this garden in Vineland started growing food last year.

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United Way currently works with 90 local agencies, 25 of which do pop-up markets like the one in Crystal Beach. Over 250 pounds of food go out every month.

“They are meant to be an affordable option for people, to come receive affordable produce and ultimately just bring people together,” the United Way said.

The plot in Vineland has been in Barb Peter’s family for over four generations. It wasn’t producing anything so her family is now letting the Community Garden Network grow fresh food here. She’s also one of the volunteers.

“I feel such a connection actually when I’m out here gardening, I love it, my grandfather would be so proud,” Peter said.

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One of the benefits of growing food at a community garden means it is grown without any pesticides, so it can be eaten right after it’s picked.

The pop up markets are for folks who are not ready to line up at the food banks yet, making it more affordable for people to access healthy food when and where they need in their area.

Even though the Niagara Community Garden Network provides food to thousands of people every month, they only have four full time employees, and rely on volunteers.

The United Way is hoping other communities copy this initiative and it proves to be an affordable and sustainable way to shop for groceries in the future.