Good Things are Growing in Thunder Bay’s Community Garden

Thunder Bay’s Journey to Life Centre is back with a Field of Greens. The community garden is again alive with fresh vegetables taking root in the plots at The Salvation Army building. Field of Greens started in 2009 but was forced to take a break for several years because of the pandemic and construction of the new Journey to Life Centre building.

Community gardeners, program participants and volunteers are again tending to a variety of vegetables that are used by residents as part of healthy and nutritious meals preparation. The Port Arthur Rotary Club is a long-time supporter of Field of Greens and provides the funds for raised beds, plants, seeds, and soil.

Journey to Life program participant George Seagris is eager to put his life-long landscaping skills to good use for Field of Greens.

“I enjoy being able to work together outdoors with everyone to see something grow. I am looking forward to using the vegetables to cook for myself, and I bet they will taste good,” George says.

Field of Greens also has a small fruit producing orchard to add to the bounty of fresh produce being used to feed residents from the centre’s kitchen, and in the soup van, supporting those who are homeless in the community.

“This program provides important and useful life skills to the residents that they can take with them once they have moved on from the centre to a life of independence,” says Journey to Life Centre Executive Director Gary Ferguson.

“Field of Green teaches people how to work as a team, promotes effective communication, and encourages a supportive environment toward a common goal. We are thankful for the support of our service partners at the Port Arthur Rotary Club.”