Top

Highlight Bar

    • In Crisis? Contact the GREY BRUCE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS LINE 24/7 at 1.877.470.5200
    • Thinking of suicide?  Contact Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (4 pm to midnight EST)
    • Farmers - your mental health matters.  Call the Farmers' Wellness Initiative Help Line at 1-866-267-6255 (English & French)

CMHA Grey Bruce - Grey Bruce
CMHA Grey Bruce » Community Programs & Services » Social Recreation & Leisure » Fresh Roots Food Forest & Garden Program

Fresh Roots Food Forest & Garden Program

The Fresh Roots Food Forest and Garden Program is a social enterprise of CMHA Grey Bruce, Mental Health and Addiction Services that opened in 2018.  It employs individuals with mental health and/or addiction experiences while providing healthy produce for use in our Brunch Program, our Café and Catering business and is otherwise shared with gardeners, community members and other local organizations offering meals such as OSHARE. 

Also located at the CMHA Fresh Roots Food Forest & Gardens is a labyrinth, which was designed by Thomas Dean and opened in 2019. The labyrinth provides a soothing, calming space for quiet meditation and relaxation. The labyrinth can be entered through a wooden arbor, and lined along the circular path are various types of plants, such as lavender, sage, cedar and catmint. 

Goals & Objectives: 

  • Provide gainful employment for people with mental health and/or addiction experiences who may have been considered unemployable or who have never been employed in the past.  
  • Provides healthy produce for our Brunch Program and the Café and Catering businesses.  

Is This Program for Me? 

If you are currently connected with a CMHA Grey Bruce program and are looking for gainful employment, the Fresh Roots Food Forest and Garden Program might be for you.   

What We Offer: 

  • Employment for individuals living with mental illness and/or addiction challenges 
  • Garden beds available to rent at a nominal rate for any community members  
  • Community members can access the CMHA Labyrinth, which is designed to provide a soothing, calming space for quiet meditation and relaxation 

How Do I Get Connected? 

Please contact Olivia Thornton, Café Coordinator at 519-371-3642 ext. 1282 or othornton@cmhagb.org. 

Is There a Cost for This Program? 

There is no cost for this program. 

Locations:  

  • St. George’s Park, Owen Sound  
  • United Way, Owen Sound   

Please see below our Fresh Roots Food Forest and Gardens Logic Model to learn more!

Fresh Roots CC Logic Model

Our Garden Program is one of our non-government funded programs. If you are interested in becoming one of our monthly Garden donors, please contact our organization.

We are very thankful for our sponsors and donors of our Garden Program. Special thank you to the following funders:

– Aviva Fund
– Bruce Power
– United Way
– Community Foundation Grey Bruce
and many more!