Brampton’s 3rd Backyard Garden Program produces 7,000 lbs of food for local food banks.
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October 20, 2022
The City of Brampton’s third 2022 Backyard Garden Program, with the support of 2,921 participants, has produced an amazing 7,000 lbs of produce donated to residents in need.
The Backyard Garden Program launched in April 2020 and was the first program of its kind in Canada in response to COVID-19. The City’s program is facilitated by the City’s Park Maintenance and Forestry division as an extension of the City’s existing Community Gardens program.
Mayor Patrick Brown commented that “The third year of the Backyard Garden Program has provided approximately 7,000 lbs of produce for those in need. This program has had a positive impact over its three years and has been tremendous in helping to reduce pressure on our community’s food banks. I want to thank Councillor Whillans for his leadership and everyone who has participated for their continued commitment to the program.”
The Backyard Garden Program was open to all Brampton residents and supplied soil, packages of seeds and growing advice for their new gardens.
From April to October, residents grew their own backyard gardens, with some keeping their harvest and others donating to local food banks and community organizations, including the Knights Table, Regeneration, Lifting the Fallen Pentecostal Church/Iglesia Pentecostal Levantando Al Caido, and Heart Lake United Church’s Community Cupboard.
Many corporate sponsors supported the City program – providing 14,635 bags of soil and 5,836 packages of seeds, including: Scotts Canada Limited, Mattamy Homes, Paradise Developments, TACC Holborn Corporation and Fieldgate Developments.