Article By: Kevin Brown
“People going hungry is unfortunate. If we can grow food for people in the community, it is a good thing to do.”
Ottawa Food Bank Volunteer Chin S. has given over 130 hours of his time in recent years to help grow produce at the Ottawa Food Bank’s Community Harvest Farm. After a career of over 30 years in engineering, Chin retired a few years ago and found himself with time on his hands. His wife suggested he volunteer at the Community Harvest Farm. Chin grew up in Malaysia as part of a farm family, and even after he came to Canada in 1981 to begin post-secondary studies in structural engineering, he never forgot his time growing up on a farm.
“I like farming. I grew up on a farm and I like to see things grow. I also like the idea of giving back and in this case, giving back by helping grow fresh produce for the Ottawa Food Bank network. I feel good by doing something good for the community. This is a good program here at the Community Harvest Farm, and I have met some good people here as well.”
One in four Ottawa households faced food insecurity in 2024, up from one in seven in 2023. 37% of visitors to food bank programs are children. The reasons vary for why so many people now rely on food banks and food programs in Ottawa but the bottom-line is that the cost of living has risen sharply in the past few years while incomes have not.
One of this year’s newest farm volunteers is Helen S.
“I had a lifelong interest in gardening and thought I could contribute by volunteering at the Community Harvest Farm. It seemed like a good fit. I have only volunteered a few shifts, but so far it has been rewarding. Both my parents grew up on farms. My dad was known as an excellent gardener and my time here at the [Ottawa] Food Bank Farm allows me to remember him fondly. I have always enjoyed growing flowers, but this allows me to do something useful the community.”
Helen recently retired as a University of Guelph Librarian and moved to Ottawa to be closer to her family. After a year of retirement, she started thinking about what to do with some of her free time. Helen had contributed financially to food banks for over 30 years, including most recently, the Ottawa Food Bank. As a donor, Helen had received a ‘Thank You’ email from the Ottawa Food Bank which included information about volunteer opportunities.
“I always looked at farms as helpful, but I decided it was time to get involved. I live in a townhome now which has limited growing space, but I still get to grow flowers. Being here at the farm allows me to enjoy helping to grow more, and I know the fresh produce grown here helps feed people in our city. A bonus of volunteering here at the farm is meeting people with similar interests and everyone shares experiences, backgrounds, and great gardening tips. It is fun to be with other people who like getting their hands in the dirt. It helps me because it is gentle physical work, and I know it helps grow things that will benefit others.”
Over 2600 people volunteer at the Ottawa Food Bank and help support its network of 98 food programs across the community. In 2024, 1128 people chose to volunteer at the Community Harvest Farm and gave over 5931.5 hours of their time to help grow nearly 153,000 lbs. of fresh food for the community.
Brenna M. recently had her first shift as an Ottawa Food Bank Community Harvest Farm volunteer.
Brenna was excited about the opportunity after visiting the Ottawa Food Bank Warehouse last year as part of a donor’s tour. She did not know that the Ottawa Food Bank operated its own farm. Brenna is currently on long-term leave from work and looked at many volunteer opportunities to help fill some of her time.
“I chose the [Ottawa] Food Bank Farm after viewing an opportunity posted on the Volunteer Ottawa website. I wanted to be outside, and I like knowing that the community receives fresh produce during the growing season. I buy fresh produce for my family and helping grow fresh vegetables for others resonates well with me. I know that I will learn new skills and feel good about my volunteer work here at the Community Harvest Farm.”
Volunteers at the Ottawa Food Bank’s Community Harvest Farm not only grow food – they grow hope that solutions to food insecurity are possible. No matter the perspective, it is true that fresh is best in food and in reflecting on how you connect to your community. Thanks to the many individuals who give generously their time and talents to the community through the Ottawa Food Bank.
The Ottawa Food Bank Community Harvest Farm is made possible by the donation of land use from Tom Black and his family (of Black Family Farm) near Stittsville.
About Kevin Brown
Kevin has joined Ottawa Food Bank’s volunteers, in semi-retirement, as a seasoned Public Relations and Communications professional. He sought a flexible volunteer role with the Ottawa Food Bank and was excited to take on the role of capturing volunteer stories to have as assets to share and celebrate volunteering, effectively enhancing the Ottawa Food Bank’s capacity for recognition.
Beyond this effort, Kevin has also become an active and engaged Special Events volunteer who has been a great personality and presence at events in the community.
Read more volunteer stories at ottawafoodbank.ca/volunteer.
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