The Healthy Neighbour Project
A Community Challenge to Grow One Ton of Tomatoes
Build Community Resilience, Social Solidarity and Food Security

Fact 1  
"In 2009, one billion people experienced hunger globally, and Canada did not escape the
problem. Nearly two million Canadians report being food insecure – they often worry about not
having enough food, can’t afford to eat the foods they would like, or go without food because
they don’t have enough for themselves and their families.1 Each month, nearly 800,000
Canadians are assisted by a food bank – 37% of those helped are children.2"
(exerpt from Food Banks Canada document )

Fact 2
Each typical tomato plant, if well looked after, can grow upwards of 40 pounds of tomatoes in a season. 
Tomatoes are rich in Vitamins A,C,K, Potassium, Omega 6 Fatty Acid among others and only 26.8 calories/cup of cherry tomatoes-so what are you waiting for?

  HOW TO START

· Get a group of people together.  Have your group save at least  50 yogurt and cottage cheese containers (50 containers x 40 lbs = ONE TON).  Allow for extra. BUT...you don't have to register a group of 50...we want to see everyone feel empowered to make their own commitment .  You can register as an individual or a small group-let us know how what community you are in and how you are progressing! We'll celebrate all efforts to Grow Healthy!

· In March or early April (or spring in your area of the world) with the assistance of a green-thumbed helper, fill containers with seed starter planting mix, and  plant 3 tomato seeds in each container according to package directions (and as they grow, thinning out to one of the strongest plants)

· The group members can either opt to plant, care for, and use the plant themselves, OR  give their plant to their neighbour or another family and invite them to join the one ton challenge. 

· Encourage the members to support each other throughout the season!

OUTCOMES

· Learn where food really comes from (not just the grocery store!)
· Appreciate what effort it takes to grow the food we eat
· Learn about food security (having access to affordable, fresh, nutritious food at all times to support a healthy lifestyle)
· Learn about the nutritional aspects of food-what does a tomato provide? (Vitamins A,C,K, Potassium, Omega 6 Fatty Acid among others and only 26.8 calories/cup of cherry tomatoes!) and enjoy delicious homegrown tomatoes fresh from the vine
· Encourage the community to eat healthier and grow some of the foods they normally have to buy
· After harvest, learn how to cook and preserve tomatoes
· Build your community relationships

HOW TO EVALUATE?

· Weigh a typical tomato (or if they are growing cherry tomatoes, weigh a set number of tomatoes)
· Keep count of  the number of tomatoes that come off of the plant so the total weight can be calculated
· Keep a publicly visible tally of the pounds of tomatoes produced...and Celebrate!

WORK IN COLLABORATION!

· Don’t set up a challenge against another group or community-work in tandem with them.  If you have more than one group participating, keep a total tally to experience the effectiveness of togetherness, instead of divisiveness.

This project is perfect for communities, businesses, church groups, youth groups, service groups, schools and neighbours.  

JOIN IN, BUILD COMMUNITY &  GROW HEALTHY!

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A project of community resilience building, social solidarity and
food security


A public project of the
Bruce Botanical Food Gardens