By Barrio Nuevo

Tomatoes are one of the most commonly consumed fruits in the world.  However, when we buy them, do we consider how they get to our local market?  This is the main question behind the Centre for Spanish Speaking People’s ‘El T.O.mate’ project.

The project works with a group of newcomer and marginalized youth examining the practices of agricultural production in Ontario and promoting local food production.  Although tomatoes are grown within Ontario, Canada imports a considerable amount from places as far away as California and the Netherlands meaning that many tomatoes consumed have a considerable carbon footprint due to the transportation involved.  The youth have not only been learning how to grow food in urban settings, but they have also assisted in facilitating gardening workshops and distributed over 100 tomato plants and seeds to tenants and others.

Moreover, the youth have also been learning about another important aspect of agriculture in Canada – migrant workers.  Every year, hundreds of thousands of workers from

the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico come to Canada through temporary worker programs in order to pick the fruits and vegetables grown on farms in Canada.  Aside from the low wages and hard labor that many of these workers are subjected to, many of these workers are subjected to inhumane work and living conditions and are deprived of many of the rights that Canadian workers have.

“While the main aspect of this program has involved learning about, teaching and promoting urban agriculture as a way that anyone can contribute to reducing carbon emissions, we felt that it was very important to also show how most food is actually grown in the province” said Santiago Escobar, Project Coordinator.

In conjuction with the United Food and Commercial Workers and Dignidad Obrera Agricola Migrant (DOAM), the project has brought youth to meet with migrant workers and see their working and living situations.  The project received partial funds from the Livegreen Toronto fund, which is also one of the grants that Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is looking to cut as part of their proposed cuts and privatization package.

For more information contact Santiago Escobar at green@spanishservices