Growth Takes on a New Meaning of Hope

Food isn’t the only thing growing at the Sutton Youth Services emergency shelter.

At-risk youth will be growing their knowledge of the life cycle of food from seed to plate by planting and tending to their own crops in a greenhouse that will be constructed on the property in York Region.

Thanks to a $25,000 grant from Agriculture Canada, a 30-foot diameter geodesic dome greenhouse will allow food to be grown on the site year-round. The crops will feed shelter residents a range of fresh vegetables, including red peppers, carrots, garlic, celery, beans, and potatoes.

“The greenhouse project ensures there will be food security for the shelter,” says Rod Hiscock, Business Manager for The Salvation Army Sutton Youth Services, an emergency shelter and drop-in centre that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“We will be growing fresh food that we need the most. The food will be used in our kitchen by our two chefs,” Hiscock says.

Construction of the greenhouse is expected to take about five days to complete once the site is prepared and footings are installed.

Hiscock says youth currently staying at the 24-bed shelter will also assist in building the greenhouse and this will help engage them in the process of growing their own food.

The greenhouse kit was purchased through Arctic Acres, an Ontario-based company which designs its greenhouses for use in Canada’s cold winter temperatures.

The Regional Municipality of York Region is also playing a key partner role to assist The Salvation Army, as they own and operate the shelter property.

“We would like to thank all of our community partners for helping us bring this great project to fruition,” says Hiscock.

“These partnerships are an integral piece for The Salvation Army Ontario Division to continue to provide hope for our community’s most vulnerable.”

Total cost for the project is about $30,000.