GAP Gardens:
Growing Fresh Food,
Growing Community
The GAP Garden Program began in 2019 as a response to a powerful message from our 2018 Needs Assessment Survey: our neighbours needed better access to fresh, affordable produce. Since then, GAP Gardens has blossomed into a community-wide initiative that delivers hundreds of bags of fresh vegetables to those who need them most each year. Supported by schools, churches, local businesses, and home gardeners, GAP Gardens are cultivated by volunteers who believe in growing food and community side by side.
Our Growing Impact: A Harvest of Fresh Produce, Year by Year
What started as a few garden beds has now expanded across Gravenhurst, with each season bringing more abundance:
2019: 20 Garden Beds at 7 Sites – 320 Bags of Produce
2020: 29 Garden Beds at 10 Sites – 368 Bags of Produce
2021: 31 Garden Beds at 11 Sites – 416 Bags of Produce
2022: 42 Garden Beds at 14 Sites – 560 Bags of Produce
2023: 59 Garden Beds at 27 Sites – 695 Bags of Produce
Every vegetable harvested represents the dedication of neighbours supporting neighbours, ensuring fresh, nutritious food reaches tables across our community.
From Seed to Table: How GAP Gardens Works
GAP Gardens is all about planting, growing, and sharing. Each spring, volunteers come together to plan, plant, and tend to a network of community garden beds, growing everything from leafy greens to root vegetables. This local food is then distributed weekly through our Food Programs, bringing healthy produce directly to the families and individuals we serve. GAP Gardens is more than a gardening initiative – it’s a community effort that transforms seeds into meals and care into connection.
Local schools, churches, and businesses offer space, resources, and helping hands to bring GAP Gardens to life. Led by dedicated gardeners and supported by volunteers who water, weed, and harvest, every bed flourishes under the care of our community.
“Supporting those in need combined with my love of gardening all came together for me to become a GAP volunteer. I like to live in a community that cares like this about others.”
– Sylvia, GAP Volunteer
How to Get Involved with GAP Gardens
Want to join us in making a difference?
Here are some of the ways you can support GAP Gardens:
GROW + SHARE 🌱 🤲
If you’re growing a garden at home or your cottage, consider planting just 5% more to donate to GAP! With even a small contribution, your extra harvest can provide neighbours
with fresh, healthy produce throughout the season.
LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORT 🌱 👔
If you own a business, consider planting a small GAP Garden at your establishment. Not only does it show visible support for our community, but it also provides fresh produce for neighbours in need. GAP will provide garden signage and reimburse any costs for seeds or soil.
VOLUNTEER IN THE GARDENS 🌱 💧
We depend on volunteers who bring these gardens to life. Whether you’re planting, watering, weeding, or harvesting, every bit of help matters. From experienced gardeners to enthusiastic beginners, we welcome everyone!
Have questions, or want to get involved? Contact us today to join GAP Gardens and start making an impact!
GAP Gardens: A Growing Community Effort
What began with 20 beds has expanded to 59 garden beds across Gravenhurst, producing hundreds of bags of fresh food each year. Thanks to our partners and volunteers, GAP Gardens has become a true community project with big plans to grow even more in the coming years. Together, we’re building a healthier, more connected Gravenhurst, and ensuring that fresh, local produce is accessible to all.
Join us in GAP Gardens and become part of a movement that grows food, fosters friendships, and strengthens community. Together, we can make Gravenhurst a place where everyone has access to fresh, nourishing food – one garden bed at a time.
Ready to dig in? Contact GAP today to start your journey with GAP Gardens!
“Food is our common ground, a universal shared experience.”
– James Beard
