Healthy Communities

Every fall, The Food, Earth and Culture Festival brings together cultural performers, local food, environmental awareness and celebration to create an unforgettably fun time! Check out What’s On for the latest news.

Our Rainwater Harvesting System quenches the thirst of the HOPE Garden. A 6,000 L tank sits atop a platform made with rammed earth bags and gravel; the tank captures water from the roof of the Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre, which is then gravity fed to the garden. The system is a great education tool: it saves water and money; takes pressure off Toronto’s maxed-out sewer system; and reduces our carbon footprint. The system was awarded to Greenest City and the HOPE Garden by Organic Gardening Magazine in 2008.

We love community meals because they nourish both bodies and minds. Cooking and eating together is great fun and helps ensure our gardeners know how to cook with food that grows locally. The meals promote cultural exchange and strengthen community connections.

Each of Greenest City’s initiatives contributes to community health and sustainability by promoting and enhancing some of the following:

• Broad, meaningful community participation
• Clean, safe physical environments
• Protection of the natural environment
• Sustainable, responsible use of resources
• Opportunities for learning and skill development
• Access to food, income and recreation opportunities
• Robust, mutually supportive relationships and networks
• Strong local cultural heritage