Mission Statement
The Bells Corners Community Garden (BCCG) is dedicated to fostering food security, sustainability, and community engagement through urban gardening. We grow fresh, nutritious vegetables to support local food banks and ultimately neighbours who need access to healthy food.
By cultivating a shared space for learning, collaboration, and environmental stewardship, we empower our community to connect, grow, and give back.
Farm-to-table initiative
From gardening to giving: Right now, every seed planted at our three BCCG garden locations has a purpose—feeding those who need it most. Each season, we donate the vegetables that we grow to the food bank to support vulnerable families in our community.
This season, in addition to donating to the food bank, our goal is to establish a BCCG farm-to-table initiative using some of the food we grow. We plan to transform the vegetables into hot, nourishing meals, ensuring that fresh, healthy food reaches our Bells Corners neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
We believe that championing food security is a community effort, and local businesses and individuals can play a vital role in helping us grow, cook, and serve complimentary, nutritious meals to those in need. Got an idea of how you can help? Let’s talk fresh food, friend!
Plates full of freshness
A fresh harvest doesn’t just fill hearts—it fills plates. Every vegetable picked from our BCCG gardens is packed with flavor, nutrients, and care. From crisp greens and vibrant tomatoes to hearty root vegetables, our garden can provide the foundation for meals that bring comfort and sustenance to those who need it most. Whether it’s a warming vegetable soup, a fresh stir-fry, or a hearty stew, our farm-to-table approach will ensure that every bite is filled with goodness.
Plus, food is more than sustenance; it’s a symbol of care and connection. By using locally grown produce to create wholesome, free meals, we hope to provide comfort, dignity, and nutrition to food-insecure neighbours via the BCCG farm-to-table initiative.
Interested in helping us cook up this plan to fight food insecurity? Then, let’s go!
Rooted in kindness
During Christmas 2024, our BCCG team organized a Christmas Dinner Delight in support of our new neighbours living in Bells Corners. The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of the City of Ottawa Civic Event Funding, the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre, FAMSAC Food Cupboard, Councillor Laine Johnson, FAMSAC Food Cupboard, the City of Ottawa’s Integrated Neighbourhood Services Team, and contributions from community members. Thanks to the kind sponsorship of local business, Zoom Photobooth, families got their Christmas photos taken. Each family received a printed copy of their photo.
The goal of the event: To ensure that less families go hungry, while creating a spirit of generosity and community connection during the holidays. After getting their Christmas photos taken, families had dinner which included halal chicken, rice, sweet potato, steamed vegetables, fruit salad and cake. Plus, there were free books, winter toques, and gift bags for the children.
The Christmas Dinner Delight event was a pilot for what is possible for sharing complimentary meals with families in Bells Corners. This seed idea has inspired our BCCG farm-to-table initiative. Check out photos below from the Christmas Dinner Delight and stay tuned for more information on future BCCG farm-to-table community events.
A Christmas Dinner Delight
— Sasha Ratnam, Culinary Director
“What a fun and uplifting day organizing all the food preparation and cooking for the first BCCG community dinner! I loved bringing my culinary expertise to this wonderful cause of sharing good food with good neighbours!”
