Gardengate hosts its 16 th Annual Summer Salsa Challenge!

Gardengate hosts its 16th Annual Summer Salsa Challenge!
Unique, community-focused organic farm invites the public to enjoy an afternoon in the garden on:
Friday August 26th, 2022 from 12:30-3:00pm.
Brocklehurst, Kamloops, BC
– On Friday, August 26th, Gardengate will be celebrating another year of“Growing Food, Growing Futures” during its 16th Annual Summer Salsa Challenge! Participants,volunteers, and staff will be joined by community service providers and Kamloops residents to celebrateanother year of hard work and friendship.
From 12:30-3:00PM, Gardengate welcomes everyone to drop-in and sample salsas from 10+ communityteams and cast their vote for the People’s Choice and Team Spirit awards. The Chef’s Choice will beawarded by local Salsa experts. There will be plenty more fun to be had including a photo booth, gardentours, live music, food and plenty of opportunities to catch up with old and new friends.
Gardengate was formed in 1999 to address two issues: food security and opportunities for persons withmental health issues. It is managed by Open Door Group in co-operation with the Kamloops FoodPolicy Council. With support from local businesses, volunteers, and Interior Health, the Gardengate sitewas established in Brocklehurst, and programming began in 2001. Its mission is “growing food andfutures through diverse and supportive programs for persons with disabilities while contributing to thehealth and wellness of our community”. In order to fulfill its mission of contributing to the health of thecommunity, Gardengate donates close to 20,000lbs of organic produce to local charities each year.Today, the 2.8 acre site features rows of organic produce, a greenhouse, orchard, classroom, kitchen andcold storage. Each morning, Gardengate teams with activity as participants living with mental healthissues work alongside staff and community volunteers to tend to the garden’s needs. Through theseactivities participants gain confidence and build their vocational skills. In 2008, the Accessible Gardenwas opened, providing opportunities for persons with mobility issues to plant and tend to their owngardens on site. Cooking and horticulture workshops, field trips, organic farming practices and produceand plant sales are just a few components to Gardengate’s unique program.
Gardengate is located at 915 Southill, beside Overlander Extended Care Hospital.
For more information on the Summer Salsa Challenge please contact:
Christina Retson,
EventCoordinator,
at 250-554-9453
or email christina.retson@opendoorgroup.org