Community garden project continuing to grow roots

A pilot project for a community garden is off to a fresh start, with plans to grow even further.

It all began when Community Fridge K.W. was founded three years ago during the pandemic as a way to help the increasing vulnerabilities in the community, and to address food insecurities. The program provides a community fridge at the Kitchener Market that features fresh food and donations available to anyone in the community at any time, day or night.

The organization looked to expand their positive impact on the community by creating a public garden called the ‘Community Powered Urban Agriculture Project’. The initiative began growing it’s roots approximately one year ago, and as of one month ago, has since blossomed into a collection of planters located at the Kitchener Market. The garden is grown and cared for by volunteers, and the fresh produce can be accessed by anyone who needs a helping hand at no cost.

Kamil Ahmed, an organizer of Community Fridge K.W, said that through the help of community members, the garden has grown after a long and hard effort.

“Now we’ve got tall tomato plants, blooming zucchinis, tall pepper plants, as well as good looking lettuce and swiss chard coming out of the planters.” Ahmed stated.

As part of an ‘informal but also formal’ agreement with the Kitchener Market, Community Fridge K.W would be allowed to expand the agriculture project, if it is successful this year. The current setup allows for pilot planters to be located around the market property, but potential plans could see the garden grow out of permanent planters that are located at the King Street entrance.

According to Ahmed, the agriculture project aims to address the increasing cost of living, which is all the more difficult for the most vulnerable members of society.

“This is a recognition that people, when they’re fed, that they’re able to do things for themselves, and part of that is building our local food systems, as opposed to allowing central authorities or governance to manage our basic food systems.” Ahmed remarked.

Those looking to volunteer with the agriculture project in any capacity can reach out to communityfridgekw@gmail.com.