The community garden at The Salvation Army’s Belleville Citadel, Ont., celebrated another successful year with an end-of-season barbecue for the gardeners.

The garden, which has been going strong for five years, is a partnership with the Community Development Council of Quinte (CDC-Q), a non-profit organization that aims to lower food insecurity in the region.

“For the first couple years we had 12 beds, then 18, and the last two summers we’ve had 24 beds. Some of those beds are grown by corps members and others by community friends,” says Major Catherine Brown-Ratcliffe, corps officer.

Approximately 35 people attended the barbecue, the majority of whom are not connected to the corps in any way aside from the community garden.

“Lots of wonderful conversations and connections have happened over those garden beds,” notes Major Brown-Ratcliffe. “As a result of these connections, we’ve had a few community friends attend our parking lot worship services and our Messy Church. We are very thankful that we are helping our community’s most vulnerable. We will continue to provide hope in the community.”

Taking part in the community garden and sharing produce with others in need has been meaningful for Claudine Lambert. “The most cherished part of my garden-box experience has been getting to meet fellow gardeners and the wonderful folks at The Salvation Army,” she says.

Some of the produce has been shared with the Army’s community and family services for their meal programs and with other local agencies.

Jim Mallabar, program co-ordinator with CDC-Q, notes that in 2020, 127 garden beds provided hope to 1,100 people in Belleville and area who were dealing with food insecurity.

“The gardens make a difference to the community as they help fight food insecurity directly for people who use the beds and even more so to all the food organizations who receive donations from gardeners every year,” Mallabar says.