Healthy habits are key to maintaining both physical and mental well-being, and one of the most impactful habits is making better food choices. However, not everyone has equal access to nutritious options. That’s where community efforts can play a significant role in ensuring everyone has the opportunity to eat healthily.
The Role of Recreation Centers in Food Accessibility
“Our communities thrive when we work together to make healthy food more accessible for all,” says Jennifer Sarna, Manager of Recreation Services. Many local recreation and leisure facilities now offer kitchens that support cooking programs, events, and community celebrations, promoting healthy eating within the community. Some facilities also collaborate with food banks to provide healthy food options for those in need.
If you’re planning an event and need a space, several recreation centers offer kitchen rentals, including:
Fort Rouge Leisure Centre – 625 Osborne St.
Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre – 430 Langside St.
Sergeant Tommy Prince Place – 90 Sinclair St.
St. John’s Leisure Centre – 601 Aikins St.
Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre – 510 King St.
Gardens: A Source of Fresh Food
In addition to kitchen space, gardening also serves as a fantastic way to access fresh, healthy food. For individuals without yards, garden plot rentals throughout the city offer a valuable resource for growing produce. These plots are managed by the Parks division and foster community engagement. Although all plots are booked for 2025, interested gardeners can check availability in the spring of 2026.
Start Your Own Garden
If you have space at home, gardening can be an enjoyable and rewarding activity. The Winnipeg Public Library has put together a Gardening Information Guide to help you get started with growing your own food. Additionally, the library operates Seed Libraries, where you can take or share seeds. These libraries offer seeds for fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs, and they are completely free (with some limits on quantities).
The following libraries have Seed Libraries available:
Osborne Library – 625 Osborne St.
Cornish Library – 20 West Gate
Harvey Smith Library – 999 Sargent Ave.
Free Compost for Your Garden
To further support your gardening efforts, free compost is available to help enrich your soil. Compost serves as a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer that improves soil health, reduces diseases, and conserves water. The city hosts an annual Free Compost Giveaway event, where you can pick up compost at the following locations from May 9-11, 2025 (while supplies last): TBD Locations (check event details)
With these resources, you can access healthy food options and start your journey toward growing your own fresh produce, all while strengthening your community.
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