ยป Program inquiries? Complete our booking request form and we’ll reach out.
ยป Interested in volunteering or getting involved? Email us at farm.to.families@arocha.ca.
ยป Donate here to support veggie donations and other program needs.
History & What We Do
Our Farm to Families (F2F) program has been partnering with local service agencies since 2009. We connect 600+ children, families, and seniors annually to fresh food through hands-on gardening, cooking education, and vegetable donations from our farm.
First known as โFun on the Farm,โ the program began with support from World Vision Canada and in partnership with Umoja Operation Compassion Society, a local nonprofit serving newcomers, whom we continue to partner with today. Over the last 10+ years, F2F has expanded to serve more diverse demographics and build many local partnerships. See below for more on our funders, stories from participants, and ways to get connected.
With our finite resources, we prioritize participants in our immediate geographic communities in the Langley, Surrey, and White Rock areas though we can sometimes offer programming to the wider metro-Vancouver area (& beyond virtually).
Programming
VEGGIE DONATIONS
Almost 1/4 of what our CSA farm produces goes to our partners at local service organisations to provide under-served community members with weekly fresh vegetables through our 22-week harvest season. Since some vegetables may be novel to newcomers, we provide easy-to-read illustrated recipe cards!
We give away over $25,000 of our fresh produce each year. This is only possible when we cover our growing costs through grants and consistent support from individual donors. Would you donate so we can give away as many veggies as possible?
SEEDLING DONATIONS
Did you know that all farmers need to plant more seeds than they actually need, just in case germination rates are low or things go awry? Instead of tossing our healthy surplus seedlings in the compost pile, we offer seedlings from our farm to schools, community gardens, churches, non-profits and other groups that need some support in their good gardening work.
ON-SITE PROGRAMS
Here at the Brooksdale Environmental Centre, children & adults explore the forest, pond and farm. They learn about food from the ground upโ planting seeds, harvesting and preparing fun snacks like kale chips. Judging by the kidsโ surprised and enthusiastic responses to these activities, it is clear that getting up close and personal with creation is quite a novelty โ a novelty that is building new connections both to the earth and to caring adults who are genuinely โforโ them.
OFF-SITE PROGRAMS
Not everyone can make their way out to our farm but thankfully food (& gardening) can travel! We bring many hands-on activities off the farm to spark interest, dazzle taste buds, and marvel at the wonders of the natural world together. We’ve set up at schools, parks, community centres – you name it.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
Beginning from the isolated days of 2020, we began a phone program for seniors that continues today. Ranging from topics of patio plants to bird watching, creatures of our local watershed, and foraging for local edible foods — it’s a fun conversation that can happen even if neither of us is able to travel from home.
Looking for More Resources?
DIVERSEcity’s Food Security Programs. Community Kitchen and Community Garden programs are offered to newcomers.
