University of Guelph students grow fresh produce for their peers in need

University of Guelph students are cultivating a sense of community by growing fresh food for people who need it most. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk reports.

A group of student volunteers from the University of Guelph are tackling food insecurity from the ground up.

Gryphon Greenhome Growers is an initiative that delivers fresh produce to students needing support as soon as it’s ready for harvest.

“All of the produce that we grow here in the garden space is grown for the Guelph student food bank,” said Charlene Winchcombe-Forhan, the group’s founder.

Gryphon Greenhouse Growers partnered with the Central Student Association’s food bank in January 2024. Since then, the initiative has produced more than 800 pounds of food and serves around 300 students each year.

“Students are very excited to come to the food bank and receive fresh produce, which is a little more pricier,” food bank coordinator Alitha Griffith explained.

The produce partnership allows the food bank to cater to students’ diverse needs and cultural backgrounds.

“In terms of the produce being produced, it’s going really well,” Griffith said. “But just to be able to expand that more, to have a greater diversity.”

Winchcombe-Forhan first planted the seed to start the club prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before retiring earlier this school year, she worked as an educational support coordinator in the university’s College of Biological Science. It was through teaching that Winchcombe-Forhan realized students were missing a hands-on learning component, while others were struggling with mental health issues and food insecurity.

“Lived experiences, like a garden project like this, would be a great opportunity for the students and an opportunity to build skills,” Winchcombe-Forhan said. “And an opportunity to meet people, build community and to give back to their peers.”

Student volunteers felt the experience also helped them with their studies.

“It’s kind of like getting to do our own little experiment for certain things, of how well certain things grow,” said undergraduate student Karleigh Fishback.

When it comes to what produce grows in the Bovey Teaching Greenhouse, it rotates based on the seed donations received by the club.

Gryphon Greenhome Growers ensures that no leaf goes unturned – or uneaten. Aside from their partnership with the food bank, the group also has an agreement with the department of integrative biology.

“Anything that isn’t appropriate for human consumption, I divert over to them,” Winchcombe-Forhan said.

The department is home to hundreds of African land snails and hissing cockroaches, and welcomes all the leafy leftovers.

“They bring their discards over every couple of weeks and the snails and the cockroaches absolutely love it,” said lab instructor Sheri Hancks.

“We’re getting the most value that we can out of all the plant material that we’re putting resources and ultimately funds into,” Winchcombe-Forhan explained.