Funding applications for the 2020-21 Community Garden Support Program are now available to help eligible municipalities and community groups establish and enhance new and existing community gardens. There is no application deadline until further notice.
As part of the $2.25-million Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program, the Provincial Government will invest $100,000 into the Community Garden Support Program. Last year the program funded 101 projects to help establish 23 new community gardens and enhance 78 existing community gardens.
Applicants reported that more than 3,500 people participated in and benefited from the community gardens including youth, seniors, and Indigenous groups. More details are available in the backgrounder below and online here.
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“Last year a wide range of people availed of the Community Garden Support Program to establish or enhance truly community-minded gardens that were both a source of fresh, local food, as well as gathering places for all ages to work and learn together. Right now we are facing uncertain times as we deal with Covid-19, but I encourage municipalities and community groups to avail of this popular program and look forward to the coming growing season and better days ahead.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources
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Learn more
2020-21 Community Gardens Support Program
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Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Community Gardens Support Program
The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources will invest $100,000 annually to establish new community gardens and enhance existing community gardens throughout the province, providing up to a maximum of $500 per applicant in the form of a non-repayable grant. Communities will benefit from increased access to fresh, nutritious, locally grown foods.
This investment will enable not-for-profit organizations, community groups and schools to contribute to local food production and food security in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The objective of the Community Garden Support Program is to increase:
- Food self-sufficiency
- Access to fresh foods
- Consumption of fruits and vegetables
- Awareness and appreciation of the importance of local food production and the agriculture sector