Brock Citizen publishes story on The Maple Tree Community Garden

Read it at mykawartha.com

More than veggies growing in this garden

Maple Tree Community Garden hosts open house Saturday
Date: 2009-07-23
By Scott Howard

Something good is growing in Cannington.

Shortly after they moved to the village around two months ago, David Slabodkin and Jen Hayter established a community garden on their property next to McCaskill’s Mills Public School.

Their motivation was two-fold, Mr. Slabodkin explained.

“Community gardens can play a nice role in bringing the community together,” he said.
“They can also provide healthy organic food to people that may not be able to afford it otherwise.”

With that in mind, the couple has partnered with the Brock Community Food Bank, as well as its counterpart in Woodville, and the Young Parents programs in Beaverton and Sunderland. Representatives from those organizations tend to marked plots at the garden and reap a bounty of fresh vegetables.

“The Brock food bank has about half of the garden right now,” Mr. Slabodkin said.

There are also plots reserved for local individuals and families.

While word is just starting to spread around the township, Ms Hayter said the response has been extremely positive thus far.
“It’s been wonderful,” she said.

Local businesses — including Brock 2000 Gardens, Cafe Rhythm and Books and Bell’s Flowers — have supported the initiative, but Mr. Slabodkin and Ms Hayter are also looking for additional sponsors and community partners.
“The more the merrier,” Ms Hayter said.

Mr. Slabodkin credited Cesar Caneo of the Brock Community Health Centre (CHC) with helping co-ordinate the project.
Mr. Caneo was pleased to lend a hand, pointing out that the community garden fits in the CHC’s mandate of building a healthy community.

“The community garden is a way to promote local food and healthy eating. It also brings people together,” he said.
“We’re growing food, growing friendships and growing a healthy community.”

Residents who would like to know more about the garden can attend an open house — or garden party — this Saturday (July 25) from 11 to 1 p.m. The free event will feature gardening demonstrations, activities for children and a free barbecue.
For more information, visit http://www.mapletreecommunitygarden.wordpress.com or call 432-3322.