Late in October, colleagues from the Greater Toronto area traded their office attire for jeans, boots and shovels to help out at Black Creek Community Farm.

Black Creek Community Farm, founded by environmental, community and food sharing groups and focused in its activities on improving food security, reducing social isolation and improving employment and education outcomes, is a unique eight-acre property that includes pristine farmland, a heritage farmhouse and barn, and a forest extending into Toronto’s Black Creek ravine – all located within easy walking distance of eight schools and thousands of local residents in one of the city’s most densely populated neighbourhoods.

While the day of urban farming included some time for games and a tour of the property, the group dug in to get their hands dirty with farm maintenance and harvesting work. In line with the Farm’s mission, all harvested food was donated to nearby community members who may typically encounter challenges in their access to local, healthy foods.

A great and productive day away from the office was had by all, helping to serve and support our community by assisting Black Creek Community Farm in its mission: to assist and enrich others through a thriving farm, healthy food, hands-on training and learning experiences and, as its longer-term goal, to inspire the next generation by providing leadership in food justice and supporting natural and social ecosystems.