Brampton’s popular Backyard Garden Program returns for a second year on Feb. 1. The eco-friendly initiative helps support food security in the city by providing participants with free soil, seeds and helpful tips to grow their own backyard garden.
This year’s program is open to new participants only, including those who did not have the opportunity to participate in 2020. The Backyard Garden Program encourages residents to grow produce and herbs from the comfort of their own homes and donate their homegrown crops to local food banks and community organizations.
“This program brings our community together, keeps participants active, and provides food supports for residents in need,” said Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown earlier this week. Thieprogram also supports the Mayor’s COVID-19 Social Support Task Force’s focus on food security, reaffirms the city’s priority of being a sustainable green city, and promotes residents’ mental and physical wellbeing. Residents can register online to receive free seeds and soil starting Monday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. at brampton.ca/backyardgarden. Photos of this year’s backyard gardens, gardening tips, tutorials and resources will also be available on the web page.
The program had a very successful inaugural year in 2020, with more than 10,000 pounds of produce donated to local food banks and community organizations for residents in need from April to October; including the Knights Table, Regeneration, Khalsa Aid, and United Sikhs. This initiative was the first of its kind in Canada, initiated in response to COVID- 19.
