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Community food security garden, workshops return to Richmond mall

Fresh produce will be donated to non-profits preparing fresh meals for local students.

A Richmond mall's community garden initiative to combat food insecurity is returning for the fourth year.

Fresh produce is currently being grown in Lansdowne Centre's Urban Community Garden and the first batch of donations was recently made to local non-profits.

The initiative, which began in 2021, aims to provide fresh produce for Richmond Food Bank Society and Urban Bounty, non-profits that support local community members experiencing food insecurity.

"Food sustainability is still an issue in the community, and we're delighted to help," said Bronwyn Bailey, Lansdowne Centre's marketing manager.

Over the past three years, the urban community garden has donated almost 2,500 pounds of produce have been donated to families in need.

This year, vegetables and flowers will be grown in the garden from May to early September.

The mall is also offering free gardening workshops that run every Thursday from May 2 to June 20. This year's theme is urban gardening and workshops will focus on gardening tips that can be applied to garden, patio, balcony or indoor planting.

Gardeners of all skill levels are welcome.

A vertical urban gardening wall has also been set up in the Centre Court showcasing both flowers and vegetables, where community members can learn gardening tips for each plant and observe them as they grow.

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