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14 LEGACY IN ACTION
SPROUTING KNOW
ith rising costs due to inflation, food has
become less affordable, or even completely
unaffordable, for many Edmontonians.
Promoting food security has never been
more important, and Sustainable Food
Edmonton (SFE) is integral to this work locally.
“We try to take the approach that through education and
community, there are alternative and complementary ways
to address food security in our city,” says Kareema Batal,
communications and marketing strategist for SFE.
To help combat food insecurity, SFE focuses on promoting
and supporting urban agriculture in Edmonton and
surrounding areas through three programs. The Little Green
Thumbs/Little Green Sprouts programs provide indoor
gardens for elementary school teachers to guide students
with growing, and eating, their own herbs and vegetables.
Urban Ag High supports junior and high school teachers
and students with resources and connections needed to
pursue projects that promote urban agriculture. The third
program involves working with the City of Edmonton to
fund community gardens so that people can take a hands-on
approach to growing sustainable food like fruits, vegetables
and herbs that can be accessed by all Edmontonians.
In Spring 2023, SFE encountered a new and exciting
opportunity to expand its community garden program. The
McCauley orchard and community garden in
Edmonton’s inner city had been untended since
2021 when its previous owner, Operation Fruit
Rescue, was unable to continue its programming.
A space that was once a hub of activity —
especially during apple-pressing events in the
fall — had been vacant for two years. Knowing
the space still had potential with the right
resources, Operation Fruit Rescue and the City
of Edmonton approached SFE about taking
over and reviving the space. “The relationship
happened through ongoing conversations and a
sense of community,” Batal says. “It’s a really good
fit to promote urban agriculture in the city.”
To ensure the McCauley orchard and
community gardens received the care and
attention it needs, SFE applied for an Edmonton
Community Foundation (ECF) Community
Grant and received $35,500.
“The McCauley Orchard is an urban
agriculture project that also creates a sense of
belonging in the community,” Joanne Currie,
ECF’s Director of Grants and Community
Engagement says. “This important, multi-faceted
project will have a long-term positive impact on
Plant, G
W
by Breanna Mroczek | illustration Amanda Goddard