It was a grand sight to see — Mary’s Barn officially opening for use at the Terrra Nova Rural Park on Saturday.
The Sharing Farm Society, which will operate the barn, will now be in a better position than ever to provide healthy food for low-income families in Richmond and teach new generations of urban farmers.
Mary’s Barn was named in honour of the late Mary Gazetas — the inspiration behind and a founding member of The Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project, which is now The Sharing Farm Society.
Recognizing the need for healthy fresh food at the Richmond Food Bank, Gazetas worked to secure a small plot of land to grow vegetables for donation.
As a result of her initiative and leadership, The Sharing Farm was established and has gone on to donate over 200,000 pounds of fresh organic vegetables for low-income families in Richmond since its inception.
“Mary’s Barn will be an essential operational hub for agricultural activities at Terra Nova Rural Park and support the important work of The Sharing Farm Society,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie.
“In 2015, over 14,000 pounds of food grown by The Sharing Farm was donated to Richmond residents in need through the Richmond Food Bank and other programs.
“Mary Gazetas believed that gardens are all about people and community building.”
Gazetas built a big community of people around her, added Brodie and “her vision inspired many to give back and volunteer to support neighbours in need in Richmond. Since her passing in 2012, this legacy lives on The Sharing Farm.”
James Gates, The Sharing Farm’s executive director, said the non-profit society is “indebted to the City of Richmond for their commitment to this project.
“Mary’s Barn will be vital to the farm and will centralize our operations with equipment storage; vegetable washing and packing, cold storage, and space to hang The Sharing Farm’s signature crop – garlic.”
A community-initiated capital project, the 3,500 sq.ft. barn received $323,800 as part of the City of Richmond’s 2015 capital program. Additional funding for the project was provided through a $20,000 grant from the B.C government, $10,000 from Kin’s Farm Market, $15,000 from Rona Richmond and concrete worth $12,000 from Lafarge.
