Annual Sudbury market supports youth and the community by offering affordable produce

An annual initiative supporting youth and offering affordable, fresh produce to the community is back in Sudbury.

Now in its second week, the Flour Mill Community Farm (FMCF) offers a market each Tuesday in the Ryan Heights area in a pay-what-you-can service to ensure accessibility for all.

Run by environmental group reThink Green, the FMCF has run for eight years, employing youth and connecting the community to locally grown food.

"Even though we're in a small little place, we can always make a difference, at home and, then globally," said Destiny Roy, program coordinator with ReThink Green.

In its first week, Roy said vegetables sold out quickly.

"It's one of the first urban farms in northern Ontario and the first one in Sudbury," said Roy.

"It's just important to show our students and our youth that you can do anything if you put your mind to it."

This year, 12 students ages 15 to 18 have been a part of the process, from planting seedlings to picking the produce and running the markets, with proceeds going back to the FMCF.

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Now in its second week, the Flour Mill Community Farm (FMCF) offers a market each Tuesday in the Ryan Heights area in a pay-what-you-can service to ensure accessibility for all. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News)

"They're learning about how to take care of the produce and about food security, getting more appreciation of where their food comes from and learning about why eating local is good," Roy said.

Demilade Osuntokun, 16, said she's getting the opportunity to learn a variety of new things.

"I get to see how squash, some cucumber, zucchini, how some plants are grown," Osuntokun said.

"You learn about how worms can be of good help to the soil and about how to actually plant some fruits. Like beans, peas, so many new things."

Osuntokun said it's important to learn to grow your own food to avoid processed alternatives.

"You know exactly what's going into your body. It's not like the ones you buy from the store," she said.

Roy said the hope is to continue the weekly market beyond August until Thanksgiving weekend.