Home Gardening

FRESHLY PICKLED

by: kyla pascal

At their height in the 1960’s and early 1970’s the Black Panther Pickled Party was feeding thousands of children through their food programs in chapters across the United States. This radical group of Black visionaries recognized that to have healthy and happy Black communities, the people needed access to healthy and delicious foods. Being able to grow your own food and being able to cook and preserve it for later are important ways for Black people to connect with the land, be self-sufficient, and stay healthy.

HOME GARDENING

The great thing about gardening is you can work with the space you have. If you have a backyard, creating garden plots or boxes allow for growing a variety of vegetables and fruits. If space is limited, container gardening provides a great alternative to growing herbs and some smaller vegetables. For additional resources, check out Black Creek Community Farm or Sundance Harvest, two Canadian farms operated by Black folks.

Community Garden

A great option if you have limited space for gardening at home and a great way to connect with your neighbourhood is through community gardens. There are over 80 community gardens throughout Edmonton, which are typically connected through community leagues or places of worship. Sustainable Food Edmonton offers information on community gardens in Edmonton; find one near you!

Home Preserving

Whether you grow your own harvest, go to the river to pick Saskatoon berries, or head to a local farmers market, preserving fruits and vegetables is a great way to extend your summer supply. Pickles, jams, and salsas are just a few of the ways that you can preserve your harvest.

Looking for inspiration? Check out MOJO JOJO PickleS, a local Black woman owned business in Edmonton.