Grow Your Own Food: Scarborough Urban Farm Expands to Empower the Community

An urban farm in Toronto is set to expand, addressing food insecurity in the community. The Malvern Family Resource Centre, located in Scarborough, will add nearly half a hectare to its existing farm space. This change means more people can grow their own food right within the city.

Claire Perttula, the urban agriculture manager, emphasizes the farm’s importance. “We are playing a vital role in addressing food insecurity throughout Scarborough," she explained. The expansion will allow them to support more farmers and produce more local food.

Currently, the farm spans about 0.8 hectares and serves 17 farmers, each with a plot of about 200 square meters. Some farmers aim to make a living from their crops, while others grow food as a supplement. “There’s real joy in farming here,” Perttula noted. Much of what they grow is sold at a weekly market from June to October, while some produce is donated to local food banks.

Community demand prompted the expansion. A petition from residents called for greater access to the farm. Perttula mentioned there’s currently a waitlist of about 15 people eager to use the space. Once the expansion is complete, an additional 8 to 12 people will be able to plant crops.

Furthermore, the center will open the Scarborough Urban Farm Lab. This initiative will train individuals and groups interested in starting their own urban farms, promoting local agriculture.

Sharon and Clovis Grant, who farm at Malvern with their son Isaiah, shared their positive experience. “It does your soul good to be in an environment like this,” Sharon expressed, highlighting the farm’s role as a welcoming space, especially for Isaiah, who has autism. She appreciates how the farm fosters a sense of community and belonging. “It just makes us better as people,” she highlighted.

The expansion is expected to be finished by mid-summer, allowing even more residents to reap the benefits of urban farming.

This initiative aligns with the trend of urban farming growing across North America, aimed at improving community resilience. According to a recent report by the USDA, urban agriculture is becoming a significant part of local economies, with a 20% increase in urban farms since 2012. For more on urban farming’s impact, you can check this USDA report.

The Malvern Urban Farm stands as a beacon of hope and community spirit, showcasing the power of local agriculture to bring people together and combat food insecurity.

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