Harvest Party 2016

Global Roots 2016 came to a celebratory end on Oct 31, with a Harvest Party and Halloween Party!

Some participants came dressed in wigs and funky glasses to celebrate the halloween.

Roy looking bright in purple!

Jiawen rocking the blue locks!

Angelita, our Filipino senior gardener joining in the dress-up!

Carving pumpkins in celebration of Halloween

Others brought a wide range of delicious cultural food to share with everyone else, potluck style!

Maria, our Italian senior gardener, Urszula, our Polish senior gardener and Kulwant, our South Asian senior gardener crossing cultural and linguistic barriers and enjoying one another's company, and the delicious food. 

This wonderful program run in partnership between The Stop Community Food Centre and CultureLink provides the senior and youth newcomer participants with the resources and opportunity to plant and grow their own food, and also to engage in cultural exchange through the sharing of gardening knowledge, food and cooking.

This inter-generational program encourages interaction between folks regardless of age. 

The youth and senior participants also benefit from one another through socializing, exchange of ideas, and helping one another in the gardens.

Wendy and Joyce enjoying some fresh soup cooked with ingredients from the garden. 

One of the most significant benefit of the program is that participants get the opportunity to have access to fresh, organic produce. The difference between organic produce and conventional produce can be noticed in taste and quality of the food that is shared during the program.

Jangchup and Sonam cooking up some Tibetan momos made with organic produce from their garden. 

Final clean up of the garden for the end of the growing season

The physical activity that everyone get from the actual gardening also provides mental and physical health benefits. Some of the senior participants even reported that they sleep especially well every Monday, after the program activity!

Chinese senior gardeners recognized for their participation

Thanks volunteer, Tala, The Stop staff, Angel, CultureLink staff, Lynda and so many others for helping make this program a success!

The Harvest Party brings the 2016 growing season to an end. Stay tuned for the next season starting again in April 2017! Contact CultureLink at 416 588 6288 for more information.