Member Profile: Black Creek Community Farm
Posted: September 3, 2013
Categories: Member Profiles / News from Sustain Ontario
The Black Creek Community Farm (BCCF) is currently in its first year of operation and is a product of Everdale, a farm-based charity with 15 years of experience growing food and training new farmers. Everdale, in partnership with FoodShare, Afri-Can Food Basket, and Fresh City Farms launched the Black Creek Community Farm this season. Situated on a seven-acre site belonging to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the farm is located between the intersection of Jane Street and Finch Avenue, and York University. About 16 people are currently employed by Everdale to work on the farm including farmers, interns, programming staff, and youth educators. The farm grows over forty varieties of vegetables including culturally diverse foods such as eggplants, tomatillos, okra, and hot peppers.
The Black Creek Community Farm is already making waves in the food security and local food movements. Not only is it Toronto’s largest urban organic farm, but it is also helping to bring fresh, locally grown vegetables to north Toronto, where such access is limited.
The mission of BCCF is “to be an urban farm that engages, educates and empowers diverse communities through the growing and sharing of food.” Only a few months in, and this momentum is already discernable. The farm is seen as an intergenerational place where learning and training of youths would take place and a new generation of urban farmers created. BCCF hopes to serve as a model for other cities not only in Canada but around the world. The vision includes inspiring the local community and building food security by growing fresh healthy food, supporting the diverse natural and social ecosystems.
Food from the farm is sold through the on-site Harvest Share Program (CSA) on Tuesdays, the Driftwood Community Centre on Wednesdays, and The Stop’s Farmers’ Market on Saturdays. For more information visit www.everdale.org/blackcreek