Edwin Binney’s Community Garden in Lindsay harvests more than four tons of produce for people in need

Only in its second year, initiative of United Way, Fleming College, and Crayola Canada almost doubles last year's yield

By kawarthaNOW -
Published
A few of the more than 10,000 pounds of produce harvested during the 2020 growing season at Edwin Binney's Community Garden in Lindsay and donated to people in need in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Only in its second year, the initiative of United Way, Fleming College, and Crayola Canada has almost doubled last year's yield. (Photo courtesy of UWCKL)
A few of the more than 10,000 pounds of produce harvested during the 2020 growing season at Edwin Binney's Community Garden in Lindsay and donated to people in need in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Only in its second year, the initiative of United Way, Fleming College, and Crayola Canada has almost doubled last year's yield. (Photo courtesy of UWCKL)

Edwin Binney’s Community Garden in Lindsay has achieved its goal of harvesting more than 10,000 pounds of produce — four-and-a-half tons — for people in need in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

The United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes (UWCKL) announced the achievement on Monday (October 5).

“We have had a fabulous team working to create substantial leaps in the yield this year in anticipation of greater need for fresh food during COVID-19,” says UWCKL executive director Penny Barton Dyke. “Our team is excited about reaching this milestone and they worked tirelessly through some tough weather and within COVID-19 restrictions.”

Advertisement - content continues below

 

 

Related story

Edwin Binney’s Community Garden in Lindsay has already donated over 5,900 lbs of produce this year to people in need

By early September, the garden has already exceeded the 5,500 pounds of produce harvested in 2019, its first year of operation, with this year’s goal to double the harvest. To help meet the goal, the size of the plowed area was expanded to produce larger yields, and multiple crops were planted in succession throughout the season.

Edwin Binney’s Community Garden comprises 30,000 square feet of Crayola Canada’s previously unused land that UWCKL and Fleming College developed into a fully operational community garden in 2019. It provides food to 11 local food banks and 10 charitable organizations, as well as additional clients and school groups from May to October.

“Knowing this garden is helping people is what drives all of us,” Dyke says.

"We have had a fabulous team working to create substantial leaps in the yield this year in anticipation of greater need for fresh food during COVID-19," says Penny Barton Dyke, executive director of the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes. (Photo courtesy of UWCKL)
“We have had a fabulous team working to create substantial leaps in the yield this year in anticipation of greater need for fresh food during COVID-19,” says Penny Barton Dyke, executive director of the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes. (Photo courtesy of UWCKL)

While this year’s harvest was a huge success, UWCKL’s work in providing funding to community programs is facing greater demand than ever, according to Shantal Ingram, the organization’s community investment coordinator.

“Donations to this year’s campaign will help UWCKL address essential needs in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as we recover and rebuild over the long term,” Ingram explains. “Every donation will make a difference to the lives of your friends, neighbours, and colleagues who are experiencing challenges due to the pandemic.”

To find out more about Edwin Binney’s Community Garden and the work of UWCKL, and to make a donation, visit ckl-unitedway.ca.

RECENT STORIESMORE FROM AUTHOR