Strawberries are waking up in our northern garden, part of a project building community resilience through fresh food.
Strawberries are waking up in our northern garden, part of a project building community resilience through fresh food.

Where the Soil Meets the Soul

By Jamie Bell
Strawberries are waking up in our northern garden, part of a project building community resilience through fresh food.

Crafting Food Systems in the Face of Climate’s Shifting Canvas

The land, once a canvas of winter’s hush, now hums with the vibrant return of the strawberry patch. It’s a ballet of green emerging from the earth, a testament to life’s persistent artistry. This isn’t just about growing food; it’s about nurturing resilience in the heart of Northwestern Ontario, a quiet rebellion against the vastness of the climate’s shifting palette.

Last year, a seed of an idea, supported by forward-thinking agricultural programs, became a dance of preparation – tilling the soil, constructing the bones of a new vision, and coaxing life from dormant roots. Now, under the generous spring sun, dozens of plants unfurl, each leaf a brushstroke in a living masterpiece. We’re not just anticipating a harvest; we’re crafting a narrative of self-reliance, where care for the land, community-woven solutions, and enduring spirit are the true yields.

Soon, each jar of preserves will be a bottled symphony of northern cultivation, a shared effort, and a sweet, tangible story of nourishing both the human spirit and the sacred ground beneath our feet.

This project was supported by:

Come Eat With Me 2025 is a vibrant reflection on the foods, stories, and sustainable agriculture initiatives that shaped this year’s program. Rooted in the success of last year’s pilot and informed by years of climate-focused food security work, this exhibit offers a sensory journey through community-grown harvests, wild-foraged knowledge, and land-based innovation. It celebrates the hands that plant, prepare, and preserve, showcasing how food connects us across cultures and generations. More than a meal, it’s a shared act of resilience and creativity.