The Archway Urban Farm has received a $100,000 donation from RBC Foundation through RBC Tech for Nature in support of container farm for growing spinach and other greens.
Archway says in a press release that more than 75 per cent of Canada’s fresh vegetables are supplied from imports. In 2021, Canada was the second largest importer of spinach in the world.
The release says the urban farm will help develop a strong “green infrastructure” in the region by shortening the food chain and facilitating access to fresh, local food.
The Archway Urban Farm is a teaching garden that grows produce to sell and to provide donations to community programs.
The funds from the RBC Foundation will support the installation of a container farm for growing hyper-local, pesticide-free spinach and other greens year-round in Abbotsford.
The farm also functions as an innovative and interactive learning space that provides workshops for the public, volunteer opportunities and work experience for students.
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“Supporting new ideas, technologies and partnerships to solve pressing environmental challenges is how we bring RBC Tech for Nature to life,” said Mark Beckles, RBC vice-president of social impact and innovation.
“That’s why we’re excited to support Archway and their work through the Archway Urban Farm. This program aims to increase the supply of local greens and reduce emissions from importing produce.”
RBC Tech for Nature is a multi-year commitment to accelerate tech-based solutions that help preserve the world’s greatest wealth: our natural ecosystem.
“We are very excited to add ag-tech production into our farm system with the help of RBC,” said Marina Gibson, the Archway farm manager. “There are so many pressures on the food systems that developing local options is critically important.”
The urban farm is part of Archway Community Services and began in 2015 in downtown Abbotsford.
In 2022, the Eco-Farm Discovery Centre donated the use of their land, which has significantly increased the growing capacity. The farm now expects to grow 20,000 pounds of produce annually.
Visit Archway.ca/Farm or RBC.com/TechForNature for more information.
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