A free food garden is coming to the Kitchener Market this spring

A new free food garden will be located inside the Kitchener Market this spring, thanks to City of Kitchener funding secured by Community Fridge KW.

It will be located on the upper floor piazza

Aastha Shetty · CBC News · Posted: Mar 28, 2023 6:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 28, 2023

garden with lady — The community garden project's goal is to invite community members to craft a shared vision of food spaces in the downtown core. (iStock/Getty Images)

Starting this spring, you'll be able to take home fresh food from the Kitchener Market — for free.

It's part of a new volunteer-run community garden project that's focused on addressing the growing need for greener spaces and cheaper food options.

Kamil Ahmed, from Community Fridge KW, is one of the organizers behind the new urban agriculture project.

And that's something he says is an ever-pressing need.

"Whether it's a parking lot expansion or it's a new condo tower or a commercial plot — whatever it is, we're paving more and more of our city and it's going to be a lot harder to become green if we don't start somewhere, somehow."

The new garden will be located on the upper floor piazza at the Kitchener Market.

Ahmed said the growing season will begin in mid-May.

"Depending on the weather we get this year, on how cold it gets when the first frost arrives, we can grow until September. October would be our final harvest for the more hardy vegetables like leafy greens like kale and chard, which you can get into the fall."

He said they are brainstorming ways to maximise the space year-round.

"Like mushrooms, for example. Some varieties of mushrooms can grow year-round, even in the winter. That is certainly something that could be really interesting."

LET’S GROW FOOD IN PUBLIC SPACES, KITCHENER 🌱<br><br>Over the last 2+ years of organizing CFKW we’ve heard from countless neighbours that while the fridge & other food aid services are invaluable, folks are hungry for access to + support with growing their own food in DTK.<br><br>Join us👇🏽 <a href="https://t.co/pcf8QherZV">pic.twitter.com/pcf8QherZV</a>
—@realdealkami1

Ahmed is hoping the community garden will attract foot traffic from students, market-goers and vulnerable community members.

"If this pilot goes well, there is interest from the Kitchener Market's horticulture team to see us do it again next year, but in their permanent planters. Those are the large concrete planters next to the steps, going up to the food hall, off of King Street," he said.

"If we can do this well, with community and alongside community and raise planters, then we can do it in a permanent space next year."

Free workshops and classes

Organizers secured funding from LoveMyHood to fund the project and provide the community with free workshops.

The workshops will teach people how to use various ingredients, cook and be a successful urban gardener.

"There's this pre-conceived notion in food aid work that everybody just knows how to cook and everybody just has the supplies and ability to cook," Ahmed said.

"We know as organizers who work closely with neighbours that is absolutely false. A lot of times, folks don't have something to even heat something up or a can opener to open a can."

He said the free classes will equip people with the skills and tools needed to have food sovereignty.