After a year spent writing about sustainable projects around the world, the Green Initiatives Committee is going to keep it local and focus on Calgary. Each month, we will highlight a project or an initiative to shine a light on what Calgary is doing to take action on climate and advance towards a sustainable future.
This month we want to highlight a great initiative that’s making fresh, locally grown produce and other home goods more accessible: The City of Calgary’s Farm Stand Program. This program supports nine local farms by bringing farm stands to community centres throughout the city, and Mount Pleasant has been a participant for the past two years.
From May to October, The Mount Pleasant Community Centre hosts a weekly farm stand with Lil Green Urban Farm where you can typically find a variety of fruits, vegetables, and handmade goods like jams, honey, and soaps, all sourced from local farmers and producers. The farm stand opens on certain days of the week and is located by the community centre.
Why It Matters
This program highlights the importance of making sustainable choices in our everyday lives. By shopping at the farm stand, you’re not only getting fresh, high-quality food but also contributing to a more sustainable and connected community.
Here’s how it makes a difference:
1. Fewer Food Miles: The food you buy here hasn’t travelled long distances, resulting in reduced fuel use, fewer emissions, and fresher produce.
2. Support for Local Farmers: Spending your money locally helps small-scale farmers thrive and encourages sustainable farming practices.
3. Less Packaging Waste: Many items at the farm stand are minimally packaged, helping to reduce single-use plastics.
4. Community Connection: Building relationships with local growers and makers fosters a stronger sense of community.
How You Can Get Involved
Supporting this initiative is simple—just drop by, bring your reusable bags, and shop for your groceries. If you’re interested in sustainability, you can also support this initiative by promoting the stand, spreading the word will help strengthen the program.
The City of Calgary’s Farm Stand program is a positive step toward sustainability and healthy living. Programs like this show how small, local actions can contribute to a larger impact. Let’s support it and help make it a success in Mount Pleasant.
For more information about the City of Calgary’s Farm Stand program or to see the schedule for other locations, visit the City of Calgary’s Farm Stand Program website: https://www.calgary.ca/environment/events/transit-pop-up-farm-stands.html.
We can’t wait to meet you at the farm stand this coming season!
We hope that you will enjoy staying with us as we tour Calgary this year and if you want to get involved and be a part of making Mount Pleasant a greener community, we would love to have you join the committee. Please email [email protected] for more information. If you’d like to get added to our email list, or if you have any questions, you can find us on the Mount Pleasant Community Association page as well.
Have a great month,
The MPCA Green Initiatives Committee
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