As for many of us, 2020 was an unusual year for Community Harvest Kingston (CHK). Due to restrictive protocols for open-air markets during the COVID-19 pandemic for the first time since 2009, CHK could not operate its affordable farmers market in north Kingston.
With our garden planted and partnerships in place for the 2020 season, CHK reached out to its “Friends of the Market”, a group of 160+ market patrons and community members, and the decision was made to offer a no cost CSA (community supported agriculture) share to interested market friends.
A total of 61 participants received a “share” bi-weekly, either delivered to their door or picked up at our urban garden location These shares included freshly picked, sustainable grown vegetables and fruits, including staples like corn, potatoes, apples and carrots to “market” fare such as eggplant, okra, and kohlrabi. Don’t forget the greens – each share included a variety of greens from kale, chard and beet tops to spinach, bok choy and arugala.
Community Harvest Kingston would like to thank our partners who helped make our “garden shares” brim with freshness!
No. 9 Garden – CHK formed a partnership with No. 9 Garden in 2019. Over the summer of 2020, No. 9 Garden provided CHK with over 900lbs of fresh, organic produce!
This unique 40-acre educational facility is Canada’s First Sustainability and Reconciliation Centre. It is a lab for research and the implementation of innovative projects and practices that lead to low carbon communities and a sustainable lifestyle.
No.9 Gardens Update | no.9 The Culture of Sustainability (no9.ca)
Votary’s Maple Products – Located in Perth Road Village, Ont, Bill Votary has been a Community Harvest Market vendor since 2016.
Sands Produce and Bedding Plants – Ernie Sands was a vendor with the Market since 2010. Sadly, Ernie passed away in August 2020. Ernie’s family is continuing the family farm. The farm is located outside Battersea, Ont.
The response to this initiative was overwhelmingly positive. Though we look forward to operating the market in 2021, the CHK CSA project could be here to stay!
Community Harvest Kingston 
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