Growing Chefs! Ontario: $200,000 OTF Grant from the Ontario Government helps deliver engaging experiential garden education programs

London, ON – On Saturday, June 8^th, London North Centre MPP Terence Kernaghan met with the team at Growing Chefs! Ontario to hear more about the $200,000 Resilient Communities grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to deliver engaging experiential garden education programs.

The project has increased the number of garden education programs that are necessary in supporting and fostering a food secure community.

​“As a former educator, I am consistently impressed by the great work of Growing Chefs! Ontario. I am incredibly glad that the Ontario Trillium Foundation recognizes the tremendous value their programming adds to our community through this well-deserved grant. It has often been said, ​‘water is life’, and to this we should add: ‘…and food is love’” said Terence Kernaghan, MPP for London North Centre.

​“Congratulations to the team at Growing Chefs! Ontario and thank you for building and enhancing food literacy among youth.”

The project funding allowed Growing Chefs! Ontario to build garden beds, expand their learning garden and build a three season hoop house. The funds helped them to hire staff to design and facilitate garden programming in the spaces, leading to the successful implementation of new programming for children of all ages.

​“Because of the funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we have spent the past 2 years building a portfolio of Garden Education programs which have reached over 5,000 children and families. These have quickly become some of the most in-demand, and impactful programs that we offer” said Andrew Fleet, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Growing Chefs! Ontario.

​“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like Growing Chefs! Ontario deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. ​“That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure Growing Chefs! Ontario remains at the heart of the community for decades to come.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment.

Visit otf.ca to learn more.