Ensuring Food Security for Residents during COVID-19

The province recently amended the list of closed outdoor recreational amenities to permit the use of community gardens. These gardens are noted as an essential source of fresh food for some individuals and families, including those who face food insecurity. 

“We are pleased that the province has amended the emergency order and is permitting the use of community gardens,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “The gardens are an essential source of fresh food, and it’s great news that we were able to establish procedures for safely opening and accessing the sites again.”

Public Health Sudbury & Districts has provided directions that gardens will have to follow in order to operate, which have been reviewed with Sudbury Shared Harvest.  

Access to the gardens is limited to registered garden members, staff and volunteers, and people are to enter for planting, maintenance and harvesting only.

A garden schedule will be developed, including staggered arrival and departure times, to allow a safe number of people in the garden at any time and ensure physical distancing.

When it comes to cleaning and disinfecting, garden users will be encouraged to wash their hands upon entering and leaving the garden, carry wet wipes and/or a washcloth and warm, soapy water in a thermos for hand washing, and bring their own hand sanitizer.

Frequently touched surfaces, such as water spigots, hoses, handles, and padlocks will be required to be cleaned and disinfected twice daily.

A reminder that all other park amenities remain temporarily closed to the public; this includes all play structures and equipment, splash pads and spray parks, outdoor fitness equipment, washroom facilities, fieldhouses, youth centres and other parks facilities.

The City is evaluating details related to the Province’s recent announcement on the re-opening of other outdoor recreational amenities, including outdoor sports facilities, courts, and off-leash dog parks.
To learn more about affected City services, visit https://www.greatersudbury.ca/live/covid-19-coronavirus/.