In My Backyard: London’s Veggie City
Got backyard? Then Veggie City wants you.
I posted about this last week over at http://www.OurLondon.ca but I love the idea so much that I wanted to give some of my other London readers a heads up about this excellent London initiative called Veggie City. They have a blog too – if you are interested and want more information – visit http://www.londonveggiecity.com/
The group of young people who are employed for the summer through Youth Opportunities Unlimited to execute the concept of Veggie City and do the gardening for you |
Veggie City is a concept that originated in Guelph where it is called Backyard Bounty. The Kipps Lane Veggie City idea is thought to be the first of its kind in London. There is no central location, but a marketplace of the harvest produce will be located at the Kipps Lane Plaza. Trevor Johnson, a city of London supervisor and spokesperson for Veggie City said they are still looking for shareholders. To become a shareholder you need a backyard. The space that is ideal should be about 10 by 10 feet. You pay $125 for the whole season and this great team of youth plant,water, maintain and harvest your organic produce. Each week shareholders will get a share of the bounty which will then be divided up at Kipps Lane plaza (probably on Wednesdays.) This is the first year for the project and it will be evaluated for potential changes or to see if it is sustainable for next year. The seeds have been provided and a private landscaping firm has offered their services. The catch is that you must live within a bike ride of Kipps Lane or the northeast area. Why? Because the project is a green one, the volunteers and employees will be bicycling everywhere all summer. They are looking for 36 families or homeowners to participate.