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Partnership grows food and understanding in Nelson

The Nelson Food Cupboard is excited to announce a new partnership with Morning Glory Farm and Gardens.
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Sebastian Ellis (right) and Marilyn Pond unload manure at the Seventh-day Adventist Church site.

Good things are growing on Granite Road. The Nelson Food Cupboard is excited to announce a new partnership with Morning Glory Farm and Gardens.

Earlier this spring local grower Sebastian Ellis began preparing gardens on land provided by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 1502 Granite Road. So far Ellis and other church members have built seven raised beds and they intend to farm a quarter acre of land this year. Ellis plans to use to the gardens to supply fresh produce to the Nelson Food Cupboard.

Concerns about local food security inspired Ellis to start the project.

“I want everybody to be taken care of. I think people deserve to have healthy, organic food,” said Ellis.

To fulfill this mission Ellis is planning a three year project that will recruit other churches with unused land to grow vegetables, fruits and nuts. Squash, green beans, carrots and potatoes are some of the vegetable crops Ellis plans to donate to the Food Cupboard this year.

The Nelson Food Cupboard is a non-profit food bank that strives to provide customers with a variety of healthy food options. The Food Cupboard encourages local growers to donate excess fruits and vegetables. If needed, the Food Cupboard’s Harvest Rescue volunteers can help bring in the harvest.

“We owe our existence to the generous support of the local community,” said Food Cupboard co-ordinator Anna Kirkpatrick. “Each year we receive thousands of dollars’ worth of donated produce. Donations of fresh fruit and vegetables help us stretch our food dollars further.”

In the long term, Ellis hopes to expand the garden to two or more acres. For now, she is working hard to keep up with farm work and fundraising.

Ellis intends to host occasional community work parties during the growing season.

For more information contact the Nelson Food Cupboard at 250-354-1633 or foodcupboard@shawbiz.ca. To contact Morning Glory Farm and Gardens call 250-777-2189.