The Orléans Community Garden has a mission- to donate one ton of fresh vegetables to the Ottawa Mission this year.
The garden is located just off Highway 174, at the corner of St. Joseph Blvd and 10th Line Road. Four years ago, Gina Lapointe noticed some vegetables were not being used. Lapointe says, "Sometimes things were rotting and going to waste in the garden and that was just a shame."
Lapointe then started 'Mission Mondays-" a donation day for her community garden to give extra produce to the Mission instead of composting. She says the concept has caught on and has become a popular weekly event.
"Now we can give to people who really needs some fresh produce and perhaps can't afford it on a low budget," Lapointe says.
The produce is delivered every Tuesday morning. The head of The Ottawa Mission kitchen, Chef Ric Watson says the donations allow him to cook healthy means, he otherwise wouldn't be able to do due to costs.
Watson says, "We are all doing our part to make sure everyone is eating properly- whether you are rich or poor or you don't have any money, everyone needs to eat right."
