Several Sooke Region groups will receive “food trees” and shrubs to mark Canada’s 150th birthday.
East Sooke Volunteer Fire Department, Edward Milne Community School, Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society, T’Sou-ke First Nation and the Pacheedaht First Nation were awarded the trees in a program operated by the Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable, Le Coteau Nursery and the Capital Regional District.
Le Coteau Nursery donated the trees and shrubs to raise awareness of the importance of food and agriculture in the region. The partnership is being led by CRFAIR, coordinator of the Good Food Network, which connects individuals and organizations building healthy and sustainable food systems.
Community organizations, schools, local governments and First Nations were invited to apply to receive up to 20 trees or shrubs each. Applications were evaluated based on trees being accessible to the public, making a positive contribution to the surrounding community, and being cared for over the long-term.
“We are overwhelmed by the wonderful response from the community”, said Linda Geggie, executive director of CRFAIR.
“In a very short time, through sending the word out through the Good Food Network, local government partnerships and school districts, we had almost 50 applications for over 500 fruit trees. It is very clear that people are seeing the value of planting food gardens and community orchards across the region.”