The City of Pitt Meadows has received seed money for a new project.
The city has been awarded $81,000 in federal grant funding from the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF), a program from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The investment is for a community orchard and edible garden within Grabenhorst Garden. (13895 Harris Rd.)
The community orchard and edible garden will provide Pitt Meadows residents with no-cost opportunities to grow their own food, gain hands-on gardening experience, and learn about nutrition in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
The garden on the scenic five-acre property within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is set to open this summer.
“The garden will serve as a central hub for community engagement, education and wellness initiatives,” said Mayor Nicole MacDonald. “It will offer a dynamic space for volunteers to work together in facilitating workshops, maintaining garden areas, and leading outreach activities focused on sustainable food production and environmental stewardship.”
Enhancements to Grabenhorst Garden will include planting a variety of fruit trees, flowering trees, edible shrubs, perennials and vegetables, with the assistance of community volunteers. To ensure accessibility, raised planter boxes will be installed, making the garden inclusive for individuals using wheelchairs or with limited mobility.
The garden is projected to produce approximately 1,500 lbs of food annually, with the 900 sq. ft. raised garden yielding 400 lbs of root vegetables, herbs and other crops. The 3,000 sq. ft. permaculture plots are expected to produce an additional 300 lbs of fruit, including blueberries, plums, apples, grapes and kiwis.
By dedicating resources to this initiative, the city aims to inspire residents to actively participate in cultivating fruits, vegetables and herbs, while fostering a deeper connection to the park and a greater appreciation for sustainable food production.
“The city is thrilled and grateful to receive this investment from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Local Food Infrastructure Fund,” says CAO Mark Roberts. “This generous support has helped make this project a reality, further strengthening the city’s commitment to agricultural viability, food security and local climate adaptation”
Residents are encouraged to stay tuned for updates at pittmeadows.ca/grabenhorst-garden as the city prepares to launch this project.
