In the shadow of Thunder Bay’s grain elevators, a patch of freshly tilled soil marks the spot where education and food security are growing in tandem. Confederation College has quietly relaunched its community garden initiative this spring, transforming an underutilized campus green space into productive garden beds that serve multiple purposes.
The project, led by faculty member Sarah Kahn and a dedicated team of students, represents more than just a feel-good campus beautification effort. It addresses pressing concerns about food accessibility in Northwestern Ontario, where grocery prices continue to climb faster than many household incomes.
“We’re bringing back something that matters deeply to this community,” explains Kahn, who teaches in the college’s Environmental Technician program. “Our students learn practical skills while helping tackle real issues facing Thunder Bay residents.”
The garden spans nearly half an acre behind the college’s McIntyre Building. Twelve raised beds currently produce everything from hardy root vegetables to indigenous plants with both nutritional and cultural significance. The harvest will support the campus food bank and local community organizations serving vulnerable populations.
What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is its integration into multiple academic programs. Culinary students will use the fresh produce in their training kitchens. Nursing students are researching connections between nutrition education and health outcomes. Indigenous studies classes incorporate traditional planting knowledge alongside modern growing techniques.
The timing couldn’t be more appropriate. According to Feed Ontario’s 2022 Hunger Report, food bank usage across Northern Ontario communities increased by 32% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Statistics Canada data shows grocery prices in Thunder Bay specifically increased by 9.7% last year, outpacing wage growth in the region.
“This isn’t just about growing vegetables,” says Tyler Manitowabi, a second-year Indigenous Studies student working on the project. “It’s about reclaiming our relationship with land and food, while helping ensure everyone in our community can access healthy options.”
College President Kathleen Lynch points to the garden as an example of the institution’s renewed commitment to sustainability and community engagement. “Our strategic plan emphasizes hands-on learning experiences that benefit both our students and the broader community,” Lynch noted during a recent campus tour. “This project embodies that vision perfectly.”
The garden also creates opportunities for intergenerational knowledge exchange. Community elders visit regularly to share planting wisdom, while elementary school groups from nearby neighborhoods participate in educational programs about food systems and sustainability.
Financial support comes from multiple sources, reflecting broad community buy-in. The Thunder Bay Community Foundation provided initial seed funding of $15,000. Local business Boreal Gardens donated starter plants and technical expertise. The college’s student union contributed volunteer labor and additional fundraising support.
The garden’s relaunch hasn’t been without challenges. Northwestern Ontario’s short growing season requires careful planning. Unexpected late frosts in May damaged early plantings. There’s also the ongoing challenge of maintaining momentum as student volunteers graduate and move on.
“We’re building systems to ensure this becomes permanent,” explains Rob Tiller, facilities manager at the college. “That means documenting everything, creating maintenance schedules that align with academic calendars, and developing leadership transitions that keep the knowledge in place.”
What distinguishes this garden from similar campus initiatives elsewhere is its deliberate connection to regional food security challenges. The college has partnered with the Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy, a network of organizations working to develop a more sustainable and equitable local food system.
“Having an educational institution actively participating in food production creates valuable research opportunities while helping address immediate needs,” notes Kendal Donahue, coordinator for the Food Strategy. “Their students bring fresh energy and ideas to longstanding issues.”
The garden’s impact extends beyond its physical boundaries. Participating students report increased awareness of food systems and nutrition. Many continue volunteering with community food organizations after graduation. Several alumni have even launched small-scale market gardens of their own, contributing to the region’s agricultural capacity.
For Environmental Technician student Jamie Peterson, the experience has been transformative. “I grew up in an apartment with no connection to growing food,” Peterson shares while transplanting seedlings. “Now I’m planning my own garden at home and teaching my kids where food actually comes from.”
As Northwestern Ontario faces ongoing economic challenges, initiatives like Confederation College’s community garden represent small but meaningful steps toward resilience. By combining education with action, the college demonstrates how institutions can respond to community needs while enhancing student learning.
The garden beds might seem modest against the towering grain elevators that define Thunder Bay’s skyline, but they represent something equally powerful: a community taking food security into its own hands, one seedling at a time.
