Large plot of land converted into garden to help Edmonton’s Food Bank

A local plumbing company is making a difference in the community by converting their land into a garden.

But what exactly is the root cause of the initiative?

Well, their volunteers are aiming to help the Edmonton food bank.

It’s different from a typical service you’d expect to see from a plumbing company.

Mr. Rooter, a local plumbing company turned this 8,000 square feet land into a garden.

It’s the first year the company has done this.

“They’re not really connected,” said Geremy Howe, General Manager, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton. “But we had some extra land here when we moved to this building.”

Volunteers kicked off their Saturday morning by harvesting root vegetables, accepting all sizes.

Even an adorable heart-shaped potato made the cut!

“A heart-shaped tater,” said one volunteer.

Howe says the true spirit of the community is in how his team and volunteers selflessly dedicated their time to help with the harvest.

“It feels fantastic,” he said. “Just having people volunteer their Saturday to come and contribute to something like this is wonderful.”

“Our service manager,” explained Howe. “Had the bright idea to plant some potatoes here so we can help feed the community.”

“Always had a garden as a kid – growing up – got one at the house right now,” said Claude Demontarnal, Service Manager, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton. “The spring we decided we should be looking to get back to the community and we had this land and we reached out to the community and found some partners to help us out.”

“Worked out well,” he added.

With land this big for growing different vegetables, he says growing potatoes was an easy decision.

“Potatoes tend to store well,” explained Demontarnal. “And most root crops store well, we decided to start with potatoes, hopefully, next year maybe we’ll look at other root crops that store really well and keep well for the food banks.”

The company planted more than 500 pounds of Russet Gold and Yukon potatoes and aims to get thousands of pounds to Edmonton’s Food Bank.

“Well, we’re hoping to be a long-term partner with the Edmonton’s Food Bank,” said Demontarnal. “Working for having that food security for those people in need.”