Small Scale Farms in Allanburg has been working hard to support the local community through food sustainability, but this weekend the ‘community food hub’ is kicking it up a notch with a recycle drive.
Today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. a large freight container will be set up in the parking lot of the food marketplace on Lundy’s Lane to collect recyclable materials such as e-waste, old appliances, scrap metal, and building materials.
“We’re doing something not only for the environment,” volunteer Barb Chatwin tells ThoroldToday. “We’re also doing something for the consumer, because they get to get it out of their home and into other’s hands so that something can be done with it, and then it doesn’t go into a landfill.”
Created nearly 10 years ago by Renee Delaney, Small Scale Farms aims to increase food security in the Niagara region by working with local farmers to create a sustainable food chain that gets healthy produce into the hands of those who need it the most. Proceeds from the recycling drive will help fund a new chicken coop, animal shelter and cabins.
“Building materials and such can be repurposed and recycled on site,” Chatwin says. "The projects which are exciting for the spring are some cabin builds so that people can have a night’s stay and a farm experience. And for fun, fitness, and fresh air there’s an obstacle course that’s going to be built as well. So all those building materials are welcome.”
Chatwin is enamoured with the mission of Small Scale Farms: to make a difference through food.
“I love the whole community aspect," she says. "I love the farm, I love that she wants to feed people and I want to be part of that."
Volunteer Aaron Stachow agrees. “I love what Renee is doing with bringing the community together over food because everybody needs food. It’s a very community based feel. It’s everybody pitching together for a common goal and I love that.”
“This purpose here”, Chatwin says as she points at the giant container in the parking lot, “is to bring in scrap metal, it’s to bring in electronic waste because all those items are worth money."
"When somebody doesn’t need their stuff anymore it’s great to get it out of the house,” she says. "And then if it can be repurposed and we can take it and get it weighted and get some money for it, to build the projects that are required and available for the community. Then it’s a win-win situation.”
