The Inuvik Community Greenhouse, which recently celebrated 25 years of fostering food security in their community, has continuously brought people together through its innovative programs. The rink was repurposed to serve as an increasingly diversified multi-purpose community centre. Beyond providing a space for gardening enthusiasts, the greenhouse expanded its operations to include a café and a variety of workshops in both creative and culinary arts to further bring their community together and create a warm and inviting environment for everyone.
Executive director Alissa Sallans shared that renovations began last year intending to create a space for serving coffee and tea. This idea quickly grew into a café that features locally grown produce, reinforcing the connection between the community and the food it consumes. The greenhouse aims not just to be a place for growth, but also a welcoming gathering spot for everyone.
This summer marked a record for the number of households participating in the greenhouse’s plot registrations, with 100 households digging in. This included contributions from East Three School students and various community organizations, illustrating the greenhouse’s role as a focal point for collaboration within this community.
On Wednesdays, the greenhouse also hosted initiatives like Elders in Motion and an Arctic Market. Ethnic cooking classes flourished, showcasing the community’s diversity. Residents participated in workshops that began with Ethiopian and Sudanese cuisine and expanded to include dishes from El Salvador, Nigeria, Nepal, and the Philippines.
In addition to culinary skills, the greenhouse provided lessons on local traditions such as dry-fish curing and beadwork, along with practical homesteading knowledge like canning and pickling. Classes on making herb butter and therapeutic salves further enriched the community’s learning experience. Classes offered by this greenhouse have not only educated the community on essential skills but have also brought everyone together, fostering a warm and inviting culture within.
The greenhouse has also served as a gathering place for various celebrations, including a wedding and an open mic harvest event. Sallans emphasized the importance of creating an inviting atmosphere, where the café started with a menu that would evolve as the chef introduced new ideas.
The café remained open into early September, with plans to return the following spring, continuing its mission of bringing people together through food and community engagement.
Source: NNSL
