Launch of Transition Community Initiative

Footprints Women’s Centre launched a Transition Community Initiative on 25/10/10  Digging for Colin.   The initiative, which started in January 2010 is developing part of the grounds in the Centre to grow fresh fruit and vegetables and is also training women and children in food growing skills.

The project is funded by by Safe food a North South body responsible for food safety.  Healthy Food for All oversees the development of the project.

Raised vegetable beds were built, a patio area was constructed and access for people with a disability was designed.   We started the project with food growing workshops; planting a variety of vegetables seeds in pots and when the building work was completed the plants were transferred into the raised beds.

From June of this year we have been using produce from the kitchen garden for women and children’s meals and in our delivery service.  This year we will expand the recycling programme with a compost area in the garden for waste food.

Next year in addition to the vegetables and the salad crops we will plant an orchard and involve the children who attend Footprints Daycare in planting an herb garden.

In the third year of the project fruit bushes will be planted and the kitchen garden volunteers will be supplied with a starter kit of tools, seeds and materials, which will enable 20 families to grow their own in gardens within the Colin Neighbourhood. 

This project is a continuation of our work to provide healthy, affordable food for families in Colin.    An added benefit is that volunteers can bring home a supply of the fresh vegetables for their own families.