The Student Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) is bringing back its community garden program.  

The program was shut down during the pandemic and is returning this semester with a new and more interactive layout. 

The garden, located at the Casa Loma campus, will allow students a space to plant vegetables or learn gardening, and also relax or interact with other students.  

“Planting or gardening is therapeutic in a way, and also depending on how much we get you will be able to take some stuff home and have your own produce,” said Jessica Somersall, community service coordinator with the Student Association (SA). 

Leaders or volunteers will be available at the garden space from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. These leaders will share tips and techniques of growing vegetables and guide students if required. 

Somersall said that SNAP may also be able to use some of the produce from the garden in their monthly grocery hampers.  

SNAP’s monthly grocery hampers consist of vegetables, fruits, pasta or rice, meat and eggs, milk, and other healthy ingredients. The objective of these hampers is to serve students who cannot afford to buy healthy food.  

College and university students in Canada face food insecurity because of rising food costs and other factors.  

In 2021, studies found that 56.8 per cent of students faced food insecurity because they could not afford nutritious food. 

The World Hunger Day, observed on May 28, calls attention to food insecurity and malnutrition and their impacts on youth. At GBC, SNAP has been a leader in advocating and acting for food security, nutrition, and wellbeing.  

The program’s goal is not just to provide free food but to build awareness around food insecurity and provide emergency food access to those who really need it.  

The community garden is one of the ways in which SNAP can create more advocacy and engagement. Through the garden, students will be able to gain knowledge on growing vegetables. Snacks and fruits will also be available for students to grab at the garden.  

For more information on SNAP’s services and to receive updates on the community garden project visit https://www.studentassociation.ca/snap/.