Incredible Edible Plant Give-Away | Don de Plantes Comestibles Incroyables
Incredibly, Incredible Edibles is back once again for the 14 th year! For those who don’t know, Transition Cornwall+ Food Action Group has been giving away free vegetable plants to our community each year. We started with 350 plants and now give over 2,500!
When does it happen and where? You will find us this year on the east side of the Cornwall Civic Complex, on Saturday, May 30 between 10 am and 1pm. Look for the tents, the plants, the activities and the people! And if you miss there, there will also be a smaller giveaway in Long Sault on the grounds of Christ Church Seaway, Sunday, May 31 between 12:30 and 2:00.
Why do we do this? An anecdote from one year I think helps explain. A mother told one of our volunteers that her child got a plant from us to grow one year and is now a keen gardener. That is what we hope; that with an little encouragement, like a couple of free plants, people in our community will increasingly discover the joy of growing one’s own food and relishing the taste of freshly picked vegetables. And with that, we all become more resilient to rising costs and climate changes. And more than that. We can share food with each other and that in turn builds relationships and strengthens our community.
Also the whole event is fun! Whether you come to pick up a plant or two, have a chat with our amazing experienced gardeners who are ready to share their knowledge, take part in a family activity or volunteer to help with the event, it is a great occasion.
How does it happen? Well, beginning early in the spring, with the guidance of one of our members, several amazing community growers raise our vegetable plants from seed; while our local garden nursery, Marlin’s Orchards each year generously provides us with yet more vegetable plants. Then many other volunteers step up to sort the plants, repot a few hundred into large pots for people who don’t have gardens, or give away the plants. They don’t just give them away to the general public either. Over ten not for profit organizations in SDG also receive plants for their residents and clients.
We hope to see you at Incredible Edibles. Enjoy the plants, the crafts and other activities and just relish hanging out together.
The Food Action Group and Transition Cornwall+ need to thank our wonderful and stalwart partners that help make this happen: The Social Development Council of SDGCA (with which we are a working group), the City of Cornwall, Marlin’s Orchards and Garden Centre, Cornerstone Organics, Knox St. Paul’s Church, Christ Church Seaway, and Harbes Greenhouse and Forestry.
If you are interested in volunteering this year or in the future, please let us know at [email protected].
