McNally High School, Edmonton, AB
Grant term, 2024-2025
McNally High School has 1051 students from grades 10-12. This grant has allowed us to purchase custom metal brackets to build 6 raised garden beds at the front of the school. The design of these brackets makes each planter modular. This was an important consideration for us when seeking approval from our school board, as the modular design makes the space easier to reclaim in the future if need be. As the beds will be located at the front of the school and will be one of the first things that students, families and visitors will see, the aesthetic is important.
Our beds will be accessible to our student population as well as community partners, including neighbouring houses and an elementary school a couple of blocks away. The main purpose of making the beds is to have our students actively involved in addressing food security issues in our school by growing food. This food will be used by our cafeteria, which is run by Edmonton Eats.
Edmonton Eats is a social enterprise that supports inclusion, belonging and economic opportunities for Edmonton’s newcomers. Students from our Eco Nally and Food Security clubs will be involved in organizing the building, planting, maintenance and harvesting of food grown in our gardens. Access and use of the beds will be available to other student groups and classes, including our South Asian Students Association, Black Students Association, Wahkotowin Club, and CLS class, which supports students with high needs.
Food insecurity is rising sharply in the Edmonton area, with 1 in 6 children living in poverty in our community. On top of this, we have an increased number of recent immigrants and refugee families in our community who may not have access to locally grown, healthy food? Please see this report from the Edmonton Social Planning Council for additional context (linked here).
Grade 11 student Medoria Stabbler has been a key member of our team. She has headed all of our grant writing efforts which have resulted in receiving this grant and another from the Edmonton Community Foundation. She has also solicited donations in kind from local businesses. This has resulted in a donation of liner material for our beds and free delivery of our soil.
Medoria shared, “Growing up in a household where food, warmth, and shelter were constants, I was instilled with values of humility and community responsibility. My perspective shifted profoundly after organizing our school’s holiday hamper initiative and attending the Food Security Summit at the Bennett Centre. These experiences unveiled the stark realities of food insecurity affecting some of my peers. Motivated to make a difference, I approached our principal within two weeks to propose a school garden project aimed at enhancing food access and fostering community engagement.
With the support of dedicated teachers, we initiated this initiative, transforming a shared vision into tangible action. The garden has blossomed into more than just a source of fresh produce; it has become a symbol of unity and resilience. Students, staff, and community members collaborate in its upkeep, cultivating not only plants but also a sense of ownership and pride. This project has provided hands-on learning opportunities, promoted sustainable practices, and, most importantly, addressed immediate food needs within our school. This initiative has not only provided fresh produce but has also served as a platform for education, sustainability, and community building. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when compassion meets action.”
As our project was delayed and we just finished building the beds about 30 minutes ago, we’ll be planting next week. Our goal is to start with potatoes as they are a relatively easy crop to start with, and we received a generous donation of seed potatoes from Edmonton’s Food Bank to assist us in our efforts to address community food insecurity.
