Students at Niagara College are digging into the issue of food insecurity by establishing a community vegetable garden at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Spearheaded by Robert Pastirik, a 2025 graduate of the Horticultural Technician program, the initiative is supported by the College’s Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (HWAS) and the Teaching Greenhouse. The garden is designed to provide fresh produce for students facing food insecurity throughout the summer months.
“This is a student-led initiative, grown by students, for students,” said Trina Washington, Counsellor with Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services. “Rob recognized the growing need among students struggling with food insecurity and worked collaboratively with HWAS to help expand the initiative into a sustainable program for years to come.”
“I’ve always believed in the power of growing your own food,” said Pastirik. “Being able to combine what I’ve learned in the Horticultural Technician program with something that directly supports my peers has been incredibly rewarding.”
Located near the Wine Visitor + Education Centre, the garden features 12 newly installed raised planter beds generously donated by Conquest Steel. The project has also benefited from community support, with compost donated by Walker Industries and seeds contributed by West Coast Seeds.
“Our hope is that students will access this garden by taking what they need, while also giving back by helping to weed, water, and tend to the garden,” said Jennifer Laverty, Horticulture Technician with the School of Environment and Horticulture. “This initiative not only supports food security but may also inspire students to grow their own food and become more mindful of where their food comes from.”
Currently, the garden is producing a variety of fruits and vegetables, including beans, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, and a range of herbs.
This is just one of the student-led gardens making a difference to people in Niagara. For three years, the College, in collaboration with United Way, has grown produce at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake for community members in need.
Looking ahead, HWAS and its partners hope to harvest multiple crops per year to help supply produce for the Rise and Shine breakfast program - an initiative led by the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) that offers free, healthy breakfasts to students three times a week.
All Niagara College students are encouraged to visit the garden as often as needed to access fresh produce, contribute to its care, and become part of a growing culture of food sustainability on campus.
Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is ranked Canada’s No. 1 research college. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.