The City of Victoria’s ‘Get Growing, Victoria’ program has been chosen as the winner of the 2022 BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) Program Excellence Award for providing support for gardeners and food growers in the capital region.

Photo credit: City of VictoriaThe program offers a wide variety of seedlings, including zucchini, broccoli, kale, lettuce, tomatoes and many more herbs and vegetablesThe award recognizes an innovative program that has been successful in improving individual and community-level social and physical well-being. 

“It is great to see this acknowledgement of the commitment and contributions from staff and volunteers to implement this new initiative,” said Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Thomas Soulliere. “The program has been very well-received by the community and can serve as a template of sorts for other organizations.” 

Since its inception in 2020, the program has provided food seedlings and garden materials to underserved communities and those looking to start home gardens. This year, the program will distribute more than 100,000 seeds at a number of distribution centres set up around the city. 

Over 86,500 edible plants were grown and 250 cubic yards of garden materials were distributed through the program in 2021.

You can visit the City of Victoria’s website for further information, including a full schedule of seed distribution days and locations.