Chez Soi is a non-profit, flexible support senior’s housing complex located in the Benny Farm Complex in NDG. Self-watering containers now adorn private balconies, the communal terrace and backyard of Chez Soi.

The gardens at Chez Soi are the center of an innovative ‘garden to plate’ urban agriculture initiative that joins residents with local youths and partners several of Montréal’s community based organizations.

A garden club was formed to care for the collective terrace garden. All residents are invited to share, learn, and experiment with horticulture techniques during weekly workshops and animated gardening sessions. To assure a sufficient harvest for the meal program another out-of-soil garden was installed in the courtyard.

Throughout the garden season residents of Chez Soi may enjoy the fruits of the garden by preparing and sharing meals with other Chez Soi residents at the ‘salad bar’, or with local youths at the ‘intergenerational meal program’, which encourages youths to mingle with their elders through cooking workshops and animated supper conversation.

This integrated initiative is using gardens as the trampoline for skill building, intergenerational communication, and community cohesion.

This project is made possible through collaboration between Chez Soi Residents and staff, the Rooftop Garden Project, Action Communiterre, The NDG Community Council, and Energy Access Benny Farm.

To see pictures of the project

jardiniers's blog | French  | Top of page

Submitted by jardiniers on Thu, 05/08/2010 - 12:17pm.