Wednesday was the 11th annual Seniors Harvest Lunch in the Greater Sudbury community of Coniston, a unique gathering that celebrates a community garden run by seniors. The event included a colourful vegetarian lunch with most of the ingredients grown in the community garden, located in a greenhouse in Centennial Park where seniors grow fruits and vegetables. There are also 30 accessible in-ground beds. “It’s our way of giving back to the community because they have all been amazing with us,” said Linda Hachez, Coniston Community Garden lead. “If they have an extra tomato plant, they drop it off and stuff like that. They are just really accepting of us and grateful that we are here. They love what we are doing to the park.” Run by local seniors For the past 15 years, the community garden has been run by local seniors. Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas said the garden plays an important role beyond just growing food. “A lot of people as they age are reluctant to socialize,” Gelinas said. “But they have gardened all their lives and they like gardening. But now maybe they cannot garden at home anymore, but they will come to the community garden because this is something that they like to do and then socialization happens.” There are currently 45 volunteers involved in growing and caring for the space. “We come every Wednesday -- we call it weeding watering Wednesday,” Hachez said. “We do our cleaning and planting -- whatever it is we have to do -- and we have lunch in the park and it’s been amazing for their well-being.” She said the garden creates a sense of belonging. “A lot of them don’t drive, so it’s a social thing for them,” Hachez said. “They love coming on Wednesdays. They get their garden hat on and they are just happy to be out, happy to belong to a group.” The 45 volunteers at the garden take home the harvest and also share with other seniors. The fall lunch is another way to share with the community.
