WATCH ABOVE: Residents of one troubled Dartmouth neighbourhood are banding together on a new, grassroots initiative in north end Dartmouth that will provide fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Global’s Natasha Pace reports.
DARTMOUTH – Access to fresh fruits and vegetables is a struggle for many Nova Scotians.
In an effort to address this and grow a stronger community, a new, grassroots movement is underway in north-end Dartmouth.
Area residents are gathering every Friday and getting to work on a community farm.
“We’re really trying to get the community to eat healthy and be active and get involved,” said Rob MacNeish, Farm Coordinator.
The idea is simple: grow fresh produce and keep it in the community.
People who live in North Dartmouth are volunteering their time to help build the garden and tend to the vegetables. Organizers say that’s an important aspect to the project.
“This is how people own this stuff,” said MacNeish. “They come out and build this stuff themselves, get active, and then they can say I built that, I grew that food, and I was a part of that. They really gives a sense of community.”
All the food that is grown will be taken from the garden directly inside to the Dartmouth North Community Food Centre, which is located in a building adjacent to the property the garden is on.
There, staff and a team of volunteers will take the local food and create healthy meals for the neighbourhood to enjoy – free of charge – in a restaurant style setting.
Organizers say the meals are a great way for people to come out and interact with others. “It’s a way for people to hang out, it’s a space for people to enjoy the community and meet new friends,” said MacNeish.
Those who are taking part in the project say the garden is something they have needed in their community for a long time.
“Taking the Sobeys from here, although it needed to be upgraded and moving it a little further away, makes it a little harder for a lot of people to get fresh fruits and vegetables, so having them right here, and for me, having three meals a week here is great,” said Vel Oakes, one of the volunteers.
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