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Vandals strike Inuvik, N.W.T., greenhouse

Community members may have to toss many of the vegetables grown this year because someone opened up a fire extinguisher inside the structure.

Fire extinguisher was opened inside building, making produce unsafe to eat

Vandals set off a fire extinguisher inside the Inuvik community greenhouse, covering produce in chemical powder that is unsafe to eat. (Philippe Morin/CBC)

Vandals have destroyed more food in Inuvik, N.W.T., this time at the community greenhouse.

After a summer spent labouring on their gardens, community members may have to toss many of the vegetables because someone opened up a fire extinguisher inside the greenhouse.

Some of the garden plots are covered with white powder, which is not healthy to eat.

Peggy Jay, a regular gardener in Inuvik, said she was looking forward to some fresh carrots, onions and lettuce.

"It’s just disappointing in that the greenhouse is such a good thing for the community," she said.

"It’s people’s effort and I think it’s awful what happened. I know I’m not going to give up gardening. I’ll still do it because I enjoy it. But I don’t think it’s right that someone else destroys things for other people."

RCMP are investigating the vandalism.

Meanwhile, the community greenhouse board is offering compensation to gardeners — a $25 gift certificate to a local grocery store.

Earlier this month vandals broke into the food bank, and destroyed much of the food.