Crayola Canada’s Edwin Binney Community Garden Donates More Than 12,700 Lbs. of Produce
Just beside Crayola Canada’s office and distribution center in Lindsay, Ontario, is a 30,000 square foot plot of land called the Edwin Binney Community Garden. Through a partnership between Crayola Canada, United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL) and Fleming College, this garden is the largest ever United Way CKL community garden. Even during a challenging year, 2020 yielded the largest harvest yet with more than 12,700 pounds of produce donated to food banks and community organizations across the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton, reaching more than 1,300 people.
“Crayola Canada has been a proud supporter of the United Way CKL throughout our 30–plus year relationship. The opportunity to partner with them to establish a community garden on our vacant land was a great fit. The progress that has been made over the first three years is fantastic, contributing significantly to the UWCKL food security initiatives. We are very happy to be a part of it.”
Paul Murphy General Manager, Crayola Canada
Managed primarily by staff and volunteers from United Way CKL and Fleming College Frost campus, this garden has grown substantially since planting and harvesting began in 2019. The team has since added a greenhouse so the growing season can extend into the colder months; planted a fruit tree field; and added a new seating area for visitors and volunteers to rest.
All of these changes have led to more fresh produce for more people in the community—more than 18,200 pounds in its first two years. ♦