Growing and Sharing Food in Halton

Every growing season, thousands of kilograms of food in Halton go to waste as they are simply not harvested. This food could instead benefit local food banks and residents of Halton, and also reduce our dependency on imported food.

The purpose of the new Growing and Sharing Food in Halton project is to increase the availability of locally harvested produce to the citizens of Halton and enhance the resilience of the local food system. This will be accomplished through the following three local initiatives:

Halton Fruit Tree Project
This program needs two things: fruit trees & volunteers!
Throughout the growing season, small groups of volunteer pickers will go to a (public or private) property and harvest the fruit. The bounty will then be shared evenly amongst the property owner, the local food bank, and the pickers. Post-harvest processing/preserving workshops will be planned throughout the season.

Garden Sharing
Facilitating the development of community-based gardens at local organizations with extra land, such as churches, and connecting them with eager volunteer gardeners who have no land available. Will include lending tools, providing basic supplies and training on organic gardening methods.

Community Orchard
Establishment of one or more community fruit and nut orchards within Halton to be maintained and harvested primarily by volunteers. The harvest will be split between harvesters, donors and food banks.

How can you get involved?
• Join our volunteer picker group! A great activity for all ages and students can earn volunteer hours
• If you have fruit trees and/or crops on your property in the region of Halton, then you can register with us as a ‘gleaning’ site
• Join our email list for upcoming news, events and volunteer opportunities

Who is organizing this project?
The Oakville Sustainable Food Partnership has been working to increase local sustainable food production and marketing in Halton since 2008.
Go Local Oakville (formerly Transition Oakville) is a citizen-led initiative inspiring positive change towards a more resilient Oakville, building community, learning new skills, and having fun.

www.osfp.ca
To volunteer, learn more or join our food group, contact:
Jennifer McPherson – Project Coordinator
Growing and Sharing Food in Halton
foodinhalton@gmail.com
Cell: 905-691-6510