Plug In To Grow

Ecosource interviews Britt McKee, Executive Director of Ecosource and member of the Peel Food Action Council. Britt shares thoughts on what food security looks like in Peel and how our food systems are being affected by climate change. She also highlights the importance of the Peel Food Charter, a statement of Peel’s values and priorities intended to guide community food policy. Read the Peel Food Charter here.

Food Mentor, Sree Nukareddy, interviews Paul Wartman from Floreren Farm about what it means to be a young and new farmer in a changing climate. Paul shares his experience about growing up in Mississauga and making the transition to farming. Floreren Farm grows medicinal herbs, nursery trees and shrubs for local communities. You can learn more about Floreren Farm here.

Ecosource interviews Meagan, Denise and Marina, community members from Mississauga, about community involvement and sustainability. In part 2 of this conversation, they talk about how to help our environment through community involvement and volunteering.

Ecosource interviews Meagan, Denise and Marina, community members from Mississauga, about what gardening and food mean to them. In part 1 of this conversation, they talk about what it means to be a community gardener and garden volunteer in the city and why growing food is important.

Ecosource interviews Peter Hamo from The Seva Food Bank to discuss the role food banks play in our local food systems. The Seva Food Bank provides safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to low-income families in Mississauga. They coordinate programs that help their clients address the causes and consequences of hunger and poverty. Learn more about The Seva Food Bank here.

Food Mentor, Ioana Parvu, interviews Terrylynn Brant, from Mohawk Seedkeeper Gardens about Indigenous food and culture. Mohawk Seedkeeper Gardens is carrying on the tradition of Indigenous gardening and seed saving. They support gardening initiatives and share traditional seedkeeping knowledge. You can learn more about Mohawk Seedkeeper Gardens here. 

Young Urban Grower, Shazeen Karim, interviews Emmy Persaud from the Foodie Facts podcast about empowering youth to use their voices in the food movement. Together, they explore what food has meant to them and how their cultures have influenced their thoughts on food. The Foodie Facts podcast talks about food and the different ways it is used in various countries and cultures. You can listen to Foodie Facts on Sheridan Life Radio or on Spotify.

Young Urban Grower, Britney Vu, interviews Ancila Lobo from Ancila’s Indian Cuisine to explore the role and importance of diversity, immigrants, and people of colour in our local food systems. Ancila’s Indian Cuisine is a local restaurant in Mississauga that does not provide eaters with menus; instead, dishes are uniquely created from scratch to cater to each individual’s taste buds using fresh ingredients. Learn more about Ancila’s Indian Cuisine here. 

Young Urban Grower, Samantha Grant, interviews Jeanne McRight from Blooming Boulevards about using under-utilized spaces in Mississauga to support pollinators and biodiversity. Blooming Boulevards promotes resilient, biodiverse ecosystems by creating sustainable boulevard garden networks that serve as corridors for native pollinator population movement. Learn more about Blooming Boulevards here. 

Young Urban Grower, Samantha Grant, interviews Jocelyn Molyneux from Wastenot Farms about food waste, vermicomposting and circular food systems. Wastenot Farms is an earthworm hatchery located north of the Region of Peel. They collect food waste to make worm castings biofertilizer (worm manure) as an all-natural substitute to synthetic fertilizers. Learn more about Wastenot Farms here.