By M.Tourond-Townson
Photos by Valerie Blondeau

In early October, Just Food in partnership with the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard and the Canadian Organic Growers [Ottawa-StLawrence-Outaouais Chapter] brought to our communities a great “Fall Farm Fest”, an event filled with live music, hayrides, delicious food
and interesting, informative booths. 

Enjoying some live music in the sun

Moe Garahan, ED of Just Food welcomed the people at the gate waving her crutch as she directed traffic! Everyone got right into exploring the Just Food Barn site, a huge resource in our community that benefits so many ‘budding organic farmers’! 

 

A cute fall photo opportunity


On Sunday, October 2 nd , hundreds of people, and many families with children, arrived to the
Food Fest at the Just Food Farm in Blackburn Hamlet! Farmers had all sorts of things to see,
do and purchase! On such a beautiful, clear and sunny Fall day the Wagon Rides were very
popular, winding around the grounds of the Farm with much waving and fun. 

 

a full wagon-ride, right before we got a flat!

There were information booths by many organizations, including the Gloucester Emergency
Food Cupboard, part of the sponsoring team, well known in the east end of Ottawa for its
service to so many people in need of food. The Sharpening Booth hosted by the Ottawa Tool
Library was very popular: tool sharpening is a service that so many of us would need and
cannot find easily!

SOG setting up the yard sale, a friend of SOG socializing and checking out the wares

Also the Canadian Organic Growers local chapter participated with a table for sharing
information about programs, events and services available.
The decade old program Senior Organic Gardeners [SOG] organized a tent with displays of
gardening tools and supplies plus organic seeds for sale! The seeds were given for free to the
children and they passed the word around so that many kids showed up! 

SOG yard sale bustling with interest

The sale made a profit of $269.50 for the COG-OSO programs for children (Growing Up Organic, present in many schools) and seniors (SOG programs are in many seniors residences).


We hope and trust that the Fall Farm Fest will become an annual tradition!

Fall Farm Fest at Just Food Farm