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Reena Community Farm
Centred Content
Starting with an initial Agriculture Canada Local Food Infrastructure grant, the Reena Community Farm started operations during COVID in May 2021, with 400 on-the-ground containers at 2 isolated locations.
In 2022, with the agreement of Toronto and York Region Public Health, Reena consolidated to 1 single Megafarm of 400 on-the-ground containers, and expanded to 20 Reena residential sites, two Reena intentional communities and two Neighbourhood partners. Additional donors enabled Reena to begin operations of its Hydroponic Container in April 2023. Going into 2024, Reena Community Farms has managed over 1100 on-the-ground containers at 25 Reena residential Sites, two Reena Intentional communities, Multiple Reena Supported Independent Living locations and at seven Neighbourhood partners.
The Residential models of the Reena Community Farm were part of the “Eat What you Grow” effort. The Megafarm and Hydroponic container produce generated revenue for on-going operations under the “Sell” and/or Barter “What you Grow “ approach. Many Neighbourhood partners of the Reena Community Farm participated in a “Donate What you Grow” program.
In late 2023, Reena repurposed part of the Battle Centre to create the Reena Employment Zone. Businesses which have moved into the packaging centre and the kosher kitchen now provide employment opportunities for Reena supported individuals. They also increase awareness about the Reena Employment Zone by using branded packaging, shipped from the Reena Battle Centre.
Reena Community Farm in the Media:
The Agenda with Steve Paikin on TVO – Container Gardening: Cultivating Connections in Urban Farms
The Kosher Corner:2024 COR Passover Magazine.
Agriculture Canada – Sophie Wood grows vegetables and confidence at a local community farm.
Watch our Documentary:
Together We Thrive
Private Funders:
- Azrieli Foundation
- Miriam & Larry Robbins Foundation
Reena Community Farm Suppliers:
- New Leaf: Living & Learning Together
- PureLife Soil
- The Growing Connection
- Young Urban Farmers
- Boots Landscaping
Federal Funders:
- Agriculture Canada
- Local Food Infrastructure Fund
- Funding to – Good Food Access Fund
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- New Horizons for Seniors Program
Municipal partners:
- City of Vaughan
- Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Neighbourhood Model Partners:
- Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto Congregation (’22, ’23)
- Temple Emanu-El (’22, ’23)
- Congregation Darchei Noam (’23)
- Adath Israel Congregation / Magnificent Minds (’23)
- Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue (’23)
- Jewish Family & Child Services / 788 Yonge Street (’23)
- Learning Enrichment Foundation / Vaughan Road Academy (’23)