Photo: Ryan Visima - courtesy of TELUS
On Wednesday June 4, 2014 during National Environment Week, TELUS unveiled Toronto’s first corporate urban garden to generate fresh, local, organic produce for charitable organizations in the Greater Toronto Area and TELUS team members. A launch for invited guests and media was held at TELUS House Toronto, a LEED Gold-certified development in the downtown core, and learned about the extensive sustainability work which was undertaken to bring this garden to life.
Attendees were also provided a chance to tour and learn about the rooftop garden through a tour hosted by the garden curator. Information was also provided in regards to TELUS’ best practices in sustainability as well as details about how TELUS plans to offer employees hands-on educational workshops to help advance their health and wellness.
Envirodad.com was on hand at the launch and Editor in Chief Eric Novak shot and prepared this video report:
The concept of rooftop food gardens in urban centres is taking a foothold in other cities around the world. Similar projects have recently been completed and are operational in Montreal and Chicago. TELUS advises that while this is the first time they have attempted such an initiative, they are strongly looking at replicating the garden with their two new office towers currently under construction in Calgary and Vancouver.
There are significant benefits to growing food in large urban centres. This initiative and others like it are to be applauded and municipalities should be encouraged to support urban food growing wherever and however possible.
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