Organization to Receive $15,000 to Help Fund
Local Organic Gardens and Educational Programs
Waterloo Region, Ontario (November 4th, 2013) – For our efforts to provide Food Bank users with fresh, healthy produce and the community with access to fertile, organic soils, rare Charitable Research Reserve is a proud winner of Nature’s Path Organic Foods’ fourth annual Gardens for Good Grant. The program helps support organic community gardens in areas that need them the most. The grant will help rare Charitable Research Reserve expand its community gardens to fill a growing need.
As part of its vision to offer the community a protected natural area and engage the public, particularly school children, in nature, rare offers Springbank Community Gardens.
In total, three non-profit organizations received grants; the other winners were The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative in Detroit, MI and Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc in Kahului, HI. The Gardens for Good Grant program is part of Nature’s Path commitment to urban agriculture and aims to empower communities to take action and grow organically where they live.
“Not only are these organizations providing organic food for communities that need it most, but they are also creating major positive changes in their area from the ground up,” said Arran Stephens, President and Founder of Nature’s Path. “It is a privilege to be able to help each of these organizations and support their leaders to create a better and socially responsible community.”
The rare Charitable Research Reserve was one of 153 entries submitted to the Gardens for Good Grant – the only Canadian non-profit to win in 2013.The three winners were among nine other finalists who earned the most public support by way of online votes, and were ultimately selected based on the compelling, empowering and inspirational nature in which the organization described the organic garden project; the feasibility to establish and maintain the garden; and demonstrated community need. The rare Charitable Research Reserve will receive a $15,000 cash grant for our community garden project, and technical design and production mentorship provided by Organic Gardening magazine.
When he received word of the news, rare Gardens Manager Dan Radoslav was overjoyed. “This is amazing news. As I am putting the gardens to bed for the winter, this grant inspires me to get busy-planning for 2014. There is so much we can do with these funds – standardize our plots, expand irrigation, keep the Food Bank garden going. I’m thrilled and our gardeners will be too.”
About the rare Charitable Research Reserve
The rare Charitable Research Reserve, located in southern Ontario, is a 900+ acre nature reserve based in Cambridge/North Dumfries that aims to protect the unique landscape and engage the community in nature. Their Springbank Gardens provide a large natural area for citizens of all ages to get active through gardening and grow their own healthy, sustainable food. The gardens are composed of three areas including 100 community plots, education and demonstration gardens, and a Community Roots Food Bank Garden. A partnership with the local food bank allows the organization to give fresh, organic produce directly to those in the community who need it most. The Gardens for Good Grant will help rare better serve the needs of a growing community who deserve access to fresh, healthy produce.. For more information on the latest news check us out online: www.raresites.org and on facebook and twitter @raresites.
About Nature’s Path
Founded in 1985, Nature’s Path Organic Foods is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia and employs 490 people at its four facilities in Canada and the United States. The privately held, family-owned company produces breakfast foods and snacks sold in specialty foods stores and retailers in 40 countries around the world. The company’s innovative brands include Nature’s Path®, Love Crunch, Qi’a, Que Pasa, Flax Plus, EnviroKidz®, and Optimum®. Visit Nature’s Path online at www.naturespath.com and www.facebook.com/naturespath. For the latest news and updates, follow us on twitter: @naturespath and @envirokidz.
About Organic Gardening Magazine
For 70 years, Rodale’s Organic Gardening has been the leading magazine resource for an organic approach to health, home, food and garden. With the mission of “living lightly from the ground up,” the brand empowers readers to lead simpler, healthier lives and to make positive connections with the world through their gardens. With fresh ideas for home-cooked meals, accessible tips, tools and tricks for gardeners of all skill levels, and sound advice from nutrition professionals, Organic Gardening helps readers garden to truly live their whole lives. Organic Gardening’s Twitter handle is @OGMag and Organic Gardening can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OrganicGardening. Organic Gardening magazine is also available on the iPad.
Read the related Cambridge Times article here.