Huntingdon Manor Hotel and James Bay Neighborhood Association Team Up to Create Local Community Garden

Local support to community members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, our community has been facing unprecedented times, with many of its members finding themselves in difficult situations and with uncertain futures. As a direct response to the pandemic and to support our community, the Huntingdon Manor Hotel, in partnership with the James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA), will be providing free gardening space with a start-up kit to support the growth of a community food garden. ​

This initiative will not only provide accessibility to more fresh produce in a time of need, but it is evident that gardening and proximity to nature improves mental health.  This is an exciting one-year trial project with the hopes of developing into a permanent community garden.  

The community garden will be located on the grounds of Huntingdon Manor Hotel, adjacent to its sister property, the Pendray Inn and Tea House. Twelve garden plots will be offered to James Bay residents that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as seniors, low-income families, or laid-off workers. Each plot will be equipped with a food garden kit, generously donated by Victoria’s Food Eco District and #MyFEDFARM, an initiative to support the local community in growing urban food gardens during these challenging times. 
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​This community garden truly symbolizes how a community comes together in times of need, as additional support and donations were offered by Discovery Coffee and the Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable (CRFAIR) which allow us to offer these lots free of charge.

As Erin Cassels, General Manager of the Huntingdon Manor Hotel and Pendray Inn and Tea House, states “We wanted to turn this difficult situation into our ‘time to shine’ through providing services and support to those in need within our city.  Like many other local businesses, we have experienced massive loss of revenue in 2020.  Our management team came together to discuss “Leadership in a Crisis” and brainstorm creative ways we could embrace our People-Planet-Profit framework during a pandemic.  I am extremely proud of the Community Garden Project initiative, among others. We truly are all in this together as a destination and as a community.” 

Interested in a Plot? 
We are currently looking for twelve applicants who would be interested in receiving and caring for a plot. If you are interested and a James Bay resident, please complete the following application form to be considered: Application Form. The application deadline is Sunday, June 7th.