The YMCA Joins the Local Food Movement

Where did the breakfast you ate this morning come from?  Depending on what you ate, chances are some of the ingredients are from overseas.  When it comes to food, it can sometimes be a challenge to avoid ingredients that are sourced from factories or large farms from different parts of the world.

Increasingly, though, there are more opportunities for consumers to purchase foods that are more local, that are not genetically modified, are fair trade, and that are produced using more environmentally friendly methods.  This year, the YMCA’s Cedar Glen is joining this food movement and growing its own fruits and vegetables, while helping the public become better connected to the food they eat.

With help from Everdale Farms and local farmer Lori Wardeli (of Deer Park West Farm), over 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables will be grown this year on the Cedar Glen property.  Near the town of Schomberg, within the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Ontario Greenbelt, the organic farm is aimed at raising awareness and appreciation of where our food comes from.  This will be achieved through special programming focused on getting community members, especially youth, interacting and engaging in farming and agriculture activities.  Not only will school groups, camps, and volunteers lend a hand at growing the crops, they will also learn how their own health is connected to the environment through the food they eat.  Some hands-on programs include vermicomposting, butter making, oat rolling, and wheat milling.  Also important will be teaching visitors growing techniques that can be used in urban settings.

With the existing environmental programs in place at Cedar Glen, the addition of the organic farm is a natural extension.  Angela Lossing, Director of Programs and Outdoor Education, says, “Currently we provide opportunities for participants to get out, be close to nature and learn about the interrelationships that exist in it. They get to explore natural systems, habitats and animals and our impact on these systems. Having the farm deepens our environmental programming. It allows even more for that human connection.  Food is something that is tangible and real to every child, youth and adult. We personally connect to it and it’s a big part of our lives. It is an easy and meaningful way to show our connection to, and impact on, the environment.”

And these impacts are significant.  “By supporting our community with local veggies we reduce carbon footprints required to ship those veggies from around the world,” explains Brandon McClounie, General Manager of Cedar Glen.  It also promotes a culture of sustainability, and proves that you don’t need a large plot of land to grow food.  As well, Cedar Glen’s farm is organic, meaning the edamames, snap beans, celery, and eggplants will contain no chemicals, and are not genetically modified.  This not only ensures cleaner soil and water sources, but healthier people!

In total, the organic farm will grow to 10 acres in size.  The food will be served in the on-site kitchen, and the rest will be available for sale with all proceeds going to the Y’s Strong Kids campaign.

Many of Cedar Glen’s annual 15,000 visitors come from urban areas and are not always familiar with where their food comes from.  Cedar Glen’s organic farm will help make visitors more aware of food issues, as well as help them make more informed choices when it comes to food.  And hopefully next time more people will know where their breakfast came from.

For more information about farm programming, contact Cedar Glen at 905-859-9622.  The facility is open all year round to school groups, youth groups, corporate teams, and other organizations.