COMMUNITY

We believe in building partnerships and sharing knowledge and traditional wisdom so that good, healthy food is accessible to everyone in our community. Our current efforts are focused on the items below, but we are always open to your ideas on how we can collaborate with you or your organization to have positive impact in the local food system.

  • Our Gleaning Program – in partnership with community groups like Healthy Kids Thunder Bay/TBDHU and The Salvation Army, we provide opportunities for folks to harvest good food that might otherwise be difficult to access
  • We’re active partners with schools who need resources, guidance or assistance with edible school gardens
  • We provide educational tours for elementary and secondary schools to build agriculture and food systems knowledge and give kids a first hand experience with farming
  • We provide classes and workshops on food preservation techniques
  • We do as many speaking engagements as possible for community groups and organizations to facilitate discussions about agriculture, food systems and how to eat seasonally and sustainably.
  • We’re active in our community on various boards and committees including being founding members of the Thunder Bay Country Market
  • We hire all local labour, comprising over 40 seasonal staff and full time staff each summer. We’ve been a first job to 1000’s of students over the years – our favourite part!

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM

Through the wonderful BELLUZ FARM HALL DINNER event in partnership with the fine folks of Goods and Co Market, and with the support of our primary sponsor, Jones Insurance, we’ve started the process of fundraising to help us better support projects that connect our community to our farm. In 2024, funds from the event helped to support our Gleaning Program (see description below). This year’s event is in support of our NEW Community Learning Garden, opening summer 2025 (see description below)

Gleaning

Gleaning is traditional practice of gathering crops and produce that would otherwise be left on the field after primary harvesting activities.  We’ve worked in partnership with other community groups like the Healthy Kids Thunder Bay/TBDHU Nutrition Staff and with the Salvation Army. Our Community Connections Fundraising helps to cover costs associated including administration work, liaison work, bussing and supervisory costs, and time and produce from farms.  

WHY GLEAN?
It provide an opportunity to obtain fresh produce and increase food security in the community.  It brings farmers and consumers together and promotes local food options and awareness.  Participants will learn and share knowledge and skills around nutrition, food harvesting, and preparation.

WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
Each year, the gleaning season is different depending on the growing season in Thunder Bay. Generally, it happens between July to October.

WHERE DOES IT TAKE PLACE?
Various local farms in the Thunder Bay District have graciously hosted this program in the past including: Belluz Farms, Old Fort William Historical Park and Breukelman Potato Farms with more sites coming!  It does require a significant amount of produce from the farm to support a busload and some extra time and basic facilities on site for participants.

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?
This program is open to clients of partnering organizations. The clients that take part in this program often have barriers to accessing fresh produce. For example, those on limited income. The program also helps to provide a sense of community while also connecting with local food sources.

HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM WORK?
We faciliate the program by getting in touch with farming host sites, partnering organizations and arranging the dates and times for gleaning. Free transportation is offered, however, there will be a limited number of spaces for each gleaning session, and registration occurs on a first come first serve basis. Gleaning dates are variable and depend on the availability per the farming host sites.  The gleaning sessions often occur late morning to early afternoon for approximately 4 hours.

HOW CAN MY ORGANIZATION GET INVOLVED?
If your organization is interested in serving as a community partner, please email us at info@belluzfarms.on.ca

Community Learning Garden –
Opening 2025

For over 35 years, our farm has provided educational tours to our community schools in the spring and fall. In 2025, we’re excited to open our new Community Learning Garden – a central garden offering a biodiverse range of cultivated and native edible plants and crops ALL IN ONE LOCATION. Crucial to this project is a permanent shelter/gazebo-like-structure where gathering, sharing and instruction can take place. The Community Learning Garden will allow us to expand our educational offerings to our local schools in the spring and fall AND allow us to offer a place of gathering and learning for our not-for-profit community groups throughout the summer months.