The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Submitted by Flin Flon FoodMatters Network Gardening can bring great joy to many people from pre-schoolers to seniors. This is what the Flin Flon Food Matters Network has seen firsthand through their raised garden bed project. The raised garden bed project is a pilot initiative that was organized by the Flin Flon Food Matters Network. The network, which currently consists of representatives from a variety of agencies _ including the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Best Beginnings: Baby and Me, Flin Flon Horticultural Society, Lord's Bounty Food Bank and Northern Regional Health Authority _ is committed to activities and projects that increase access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. With today's inflating food prices, gardening provides access to safe, affordable and nutritious foods. It is an effective tool to address food insecurity and it also has many health benefits. Gardening promotes patience, responsibility and team work. It provides opportunity for socialization, physical activity and helps to improve coordination and fine motor skills. The network approached two local groups on the raised garden bed project _ the Kiddie Korner Daycare and seniors residing at the Hemlock seniors residence. Seniors and pre-schoolers are great populations to work with on the area of gardening, and both groups were willing and excited and had access to appropriate space. Cared for Both groups received one 12 ft. by four ft. by two ft. raised garden bed, seeds and tools, supported by Healthy Together Now funding, Manitoba Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs. Both groups planted and cared for their gardens over the summer months. The vegetables grown at Hemlock have been shared with the residents through their kitchen and Kiddie Korner Daycare is looking forward to enjoying the majority of their harvest at their fall feast. This project was a true community effort and would not have been successful without the support of Manitoba Housing, Flin Flon School Division and the Creighton Community School shop class. The Flin Flon Food Matters Network hopes to take the lessons learnt from this project and apply them to future initiatives. The network hopes to work with more groups in the future. A long-term goal of the network is to develop a community garden. If anyone is interested in working with the Flin Flon Food Matters Network on future gardening projects or any other ideas that address food security, please feel free to give us a call by calling Christa at 687-1331. New members are always welcome.
