Photos: Home Garden Project helped Sudbury families plant gardens to stave off COVID-19 boredom

The pandemic circumstances since March have led many people to seek creative ways to pull together and help everyone get the other side of this time of small social circles and isolation, with mental and physical health intact.

A small team representing local food groups developed and launched the Home Garden Project last May. 

It was a community driven, eco-friendly initiative to support food security and encourage physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Residents who were new to gardening applied to receive free soil delivered to their home, picked up free seeds in several locations in Greater Sudbury, and learned online how to grow vegetables and herbs.

As an offshoot (pun intended) of the main project also teamed up with the Greater Sudbury Housing Corporation to bring gardens to 78 families/groups, impacting 272 people living in social housing.

The result? Well over 300 gardens planted throughout Greater Sudbury and a great deal of harvest sharing.

The Home Garden Project was offered by the Sudbury Community Garden Network, Sudbury Shared Harvest, and the Sudbury Food Bank in partnership with the Greater Sudbury Food Policy Council, the City of Greater Sudbury and local businesses.

“The project team would like to express its sincere thank you to the City of Greater Sudbury, Futurescape Landscaping, Southview Growers and all the not-for-profit groups listed above that provided valuable pieces of advice,” said Rachelle Niemela, on behalf of the team.

“You made it possible for families and neighbourhoods to pull together and be together during what has been a difficult time for many.