Providing better nutrition for newcomers

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On Aug. 30, the North Centennial Recreation Centre (90 Sinclair St.) hosted the inauguration of the North End Garden, built to help new Canadians maintain their dietary habits.

"Many (newcomers) were telling us how they are having a difficult time maintaining their healthy, traditional diets here in Canada. Lots of foods are not available, or they are too expensive or they are not so fresh," Amy

Henderson, Food Matters Manitoba’s newcomer program co-ordinator, said.

Many things change when a person moves to another place, especially to another country. Food Matters Manitoba is addressing an important habit that impacts newcomers’ health: nutrition.

On Aug. 30, the North Centennial Recreation Centre (90 Sinclair St.) hosted the inauguration of the North End Garden, built to help new Canadians maintain their dietary habits.

Henderson, Food Matters Manitoba’s newcomer program co-ordinator, said.

Newcomers now have access to a variety of foods like pumpkins, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and even some vegetables that originated in their home countries.

The new gardens increase access to healthy foods familiar to new Canadians, in addition to building a sense of community and having a significant effect on their social lives. On the right side of the garden, there are three benches designated for conversations and social interactions.

"A lot of people feel really isolated when they come here, and it’s really hard to meet people. So this is a place where they can come, and they feel comfortable, and they meet other newcomers and Canadians as well," she said.

Point Douglas councillor Mike Pagtakhan said the group effort was fantastic. The garden was built by the immigrants themselves in partnership with many organizations who provided the supplies.

"You saw this real collective effort from a diversity of nationalities coming here. At the end of the day, we have this beautiful garden," Coun. Pagtakhan said. "And now (they) are going to enjoy the healthy and fresh food.

"I think food is a great enabler for building community and then to talk about that and then to share a meal; it becomes one big family."

The plots at North Centennial Recreation Centre serve primarily newcomers due to the barriers they have to get to other gardens. Most of the gardeners live nearby and within walking distance of the new garden.

Henderson said there’s potential for expanding it and making it more available to the rest of the community.

Henderson added many families had told her about their experiences of coming to the garden, trying out the food and recognizing they are similar to the ones they have at home.

"I think just having that familiar food just makes them feel a little bit more at home here," Henderson said.

Pagtakhan said he wants to see more community gardens in Point Douglas and throughout the city. They have plans for another initiative next year to build an oven so if newcomers want to grow wheat they have a place to bake.

For more information about the garden, community members can contact the William Whyte Neighbourhood’s Immigrant Settlement Program at thtoo@nisw.wwra.ca or call 204-582-9091.

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Coun. Mike Pagtakhan (on left), Food Matters Manitoba board chair Angela Chotka (on right) and guests officially open the North End Garden’s season. (LIGIA BRAIDOTTI)

The new North End Garden, located north of the North Centennial Recreation Centre. (LIGIA BRAIDOTTI)

Ligia Braidotti
Community journalist — The Times

Ligia Braidotti was the community journalist for The Times.

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October 20, 2020

Providing better nutrition for newcomers

Garden encourages social interaction

October 20, 2020

Providing better nutrition for newcomers

Garden encourages social interaction

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