Vanier Inaugurates its Food Forest

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It was a picture-perfect day for Vanier College to inaugurate the Vanier College Food Forest on September 14, 2022, in front of a large crowd of Vanier students, employees, supporters and dignitaries from Saint Laurent. The Forest that was started in 2019 when the first 20 trees were put in the ground, now comprises more than 100 fruit trees and bushes, as well as an herbaceous layer, root vegetables, ground covers, and vines.

Among the dignitaries present for the event Vana Nazarian, City Councilor for Saint Laurent spoke on behalf of Mayor Alan De Sousa. Also present were Frédérique Beauchemin, political attaché for Marwah Rizqy, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for St Laurent and a fervent supporter of Vanier College, and Lydia Cappelli, from Développement économique de Saint Laurent and Vice-Chair of the Vanier Board of Directors.

The Food Forest, which is surrounded by the Vanier Collective Gardens and stands where an orchard flourished 100 years ago, was initiated thanks to a combination of funds from the College, from Soverdi and from Tree Canada, and thanks to the many hours spent by Vanier employees, teachers, students and volunteers planting, nurturing and working on the Food Forest and the Collective Gardens. The Food Forest and the Collective Gardens aim to not only produce food and promote biodiversity but also contribute to reducing Vanier’s carbon footprint, creating a haven for pollinators, and teaching principles of sustainability to students.

“The Gardens Team was thrilled to be able to share this moment with the whole community. Transforming a patch of grass into a thriving Food Forest in less than three years wasn't easy, but it was worth it thanks to the increase in biodiversity, the increase in awareness about food security and alternative forms of urban agriculture, and the positive impact on experiential pedagogy,” said Rosemarie Brodeur, History teacher and member of the Vanier Collective Gardens Team.

The planting is complete and the Forest can now thrive and start producing food. While no more trees will be added to the Forest, Vanier will plant more trees and plants in other areas of the campus.

The event featured presentations on the purpose of the Food Forest, a food tasting opportunity with food made from produce from the garden, and a walk through the garden with explanations of the seven layers that compose it.