We’re proud to reopen our Community Buds Program providing low-cost access to our Greenhouse and Commercial Kitchen at our Green Barn location.
“Community Buds” is an initiative to invite the use of our space, fostering new connections and collaborations, and facilitating opportunities to grow! Participants will receive access to 15 seeding trays of space in our greenhouse.
The program prioritizes BIPOC individuals or groups given the historical context of colonial violence surrounding access to land for Black & Indigenous people and barriers to access for immigrants and racialized communities.
We invite individuals or groups to apply for the use of our greenhouse (up to 15 seedling trays) available from February 27th to June 16th, 2023, for growing seedlings and our commercial kitchen space for food prep and cooking at the Green Barn during working hours, outside of programming times. We are offering our greenhouse to be used at $30/month and kitchen at $25/hour.
Successful applicants will be contacted for an interview to discuss their plans, schedules and needs in more detail. Upon acceptance to the program, individuals will be given an orientation of the space and asked to sign a code of conduct compliant with space use expectations, The Stop’s policies and health and safety standards.
How Does It Work?
Greenhouse Use:
Our greenhouse is a 7000 sq foot space which grows sprouts, seedlings and crops year-round.
The greenhouse uses LED lights on a timer, air vents for natural ventilation and cooling, and a hand-watering system with table and floor drainage. It also includes a workspace shared by the urban agriculture programs (Global Roots, Earlscourt Garden and Mashkikiiaking Garden).
From February 27th to June 16th, 2023, the greenhouse will be available for use for up to 5 different individuals or groups to use for growing plants from seed. Due to pest and disease contamination concerns, no mature plants will be permitted to be brought into the greenhouse. The greenhouse table designated for Community Buds participants will allow up to 15 seeding trays per person.
Other details:
- Growers themselves must purchase all growing materials through The Stop or retailers that can be traced (we usually purchase our growing supplies from Grow It All, and we’d like to be able to trace any materials used in the greenhouse in case of a pest or plant disease outbreak).
- Availability for storage is minimal. We have small lockers in the greenhouse you could use for personal belongings.
- All accepted participants of the program will be provided with a brief orientation and training on how to use our greenhouse and kitchen space.
- The Stop can water your plants from Monday to Friday if requested.
- Costs: $30 per month (This helps cover costs of staff support the program as well as greenhouse rental costs and utilities).
Commercial Kitchen Use
Our kitchen is commercially certified and used year-round to prep meals for our meal and garden programs that run out of the Green Barn space and occasionally provide space for food vendors from our weekly farmers’ market to prep food.
The space is ideal for food prep with counter space and kitchen tools, including an oven, gas stove, microwave, large commercial and kitchen aid mixer, coffee machine, large double sink, sanitizer machine and more. The kitchen is shared by staff, volunteers and vendors and follows tight guidelines around food safety, hygiene and cleanliness. Kitchen users must provide all food, food-saving containers and additional tools and appliances. Minimal fridge and free
zer space can be provided.
- Cost: Free for first three months of rental; after 3 months, is $25/hour
Who can apply?
Individuals/groups who:
- Identify as racialized with priority given to Indigenous and/or Black folks.
- Can work in a setting that is shared by others and are respectful of others’ workspace, tools and materials.
- Are respectful and abide by The Stop’s policies and code of conduct in the Green Barn space.
For applicants interested in Greenhouse use:
- Are interested in using growing space to grow plants from seed within the time frame of February 27th to June 16th, 2023.
- Can schedule their use of the greenhouse between 9 am-5 pm (Mon-Fri) and 8 am-2 pm (Sat).
For applicants interested in Kitchen use:
- Are interested in using our certified commercial kitchen and can schedule their use on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays from 9 am-5 pm or Saturdays from 7 am-2 pm.
- Have an up-to-date Safe Food Handler’s certificate.
- Must have insurance. If you do not, please reach out; we can help you obtain it.
Completing Your Application:
We will be accepting submissions for applicants on a rolling basis until space is filled up.
To apply, please email Hilda Nouri, Urban Agriculture Manager at hilda@thestop.org for an application form.