High Demand for Community Garden Produce in Belleville

Summer’s end means harvest time for not only farmers but keepers of the community garden in Belleville.

The 24 raised beds at The Salvation Army Belleville Citadel yielded a bounty of fresh vegetables to help lessen food insecurity in the community.

Community Development Council of Quinte (CDC-Q) runs the free Community Garden program in partnership with churches in Belleville and surrounding areas, including the Belleville Citadel.

The 2021 program wrapped up with a community barbecue to celebrate the harvest and a successful growing season.

“The Salvation Army is an innovative partner, and 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,” said Belleville Citadel Major Catherine Brown-Ratcliffe.

“Lots of wonderful conversations and connections have happened over those garden beds. 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 communities’ most vulnerable. We will continue to provide hope in the community,” added Brown-Ratcliffe.

Some of the produce has been shared with Salvation Army Community and Family Services for their meal programs and with other local agencies.

Jim Mallabar, Program Coordinator with CDC-Q, said the partnership is shared by the CDC and churches, making the program open to anyone, regardless of income. In 2020, 127 garden beds provided hope to 1,100 in 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 said.

Since the start of the community gardens in 2017, the number of beds has increased each year, but the COVID-19 pandemic has limited its expansion each of the last two years.

“Since the start of COVID-19, more people have registered than before. We have a wait list for beds at most of our garden locations this year,” Mallabar said.

More information about the community garden program can be found at https://cdcquinte.com/community-gardens/.