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"Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have." – Winston Churchill

About Healthy Harvest

Healthy Harvest was first introduced conceptually by Greenrock in 2009. It is a program aimed at establishing community gardens and orchards on the island as part of an overall effort to revive Bermuda's local food production and consumption. Through Healthy Harvest, Greenrock hopes to re-engage the community by getting everyone involved in planting, harvesting and eating local produce.

The Need

In today's modern consumer society, most foods are processed, packaged and shipped around the world. There is a growing lack of knowledge about the health benefits and tastes of naturally produced foods. Today, many generations of Bermudians and expat workers alike are not familiar with the tastes of Bermuda citrus or certain types of vegetables and fruits.

Like North America and other parts of the world, Bermuda is faced with an increase in diabetes and childhood obesity amongst its general population. In a January 2011 joint report by the Department of Health and Bermuda Health Council, it was revealed that 13% of Bermuda's population suffers from diabetes, topping the list of the thirty OECD countries included.

Greenrock believes that Bermuda has a chance to use a program like Healthy Harvest as a way to regain the tastes, nutrition and social benefits from eating locally produced foods.

Our Approach

There are three phases to the Healthy Harvest program outlined below.

Phase I: In 2009, Greenrock formed the first Healthy Harvest Advisory Panel (HHAP) to assist in creating a pocket-size guide which showcased the types of seasonal foods that can be grown (or found) on the island. The guide was distributed at local plant nurseries, schools and various businesses. Greenrock further supported the effort by creating a local PSA campaign around the importance of eating locally which was seen in newspaper ads and e-flyers, as well as hosting the premiere of Robert Kenner's documentary film, Food, Inc.

Phase II (current): In April 2011, Greenrock announced that it was entering Phase II of its Healthy Harvest program. With the formation of and advice from a new (Phase II) HHAP, Greenrock hopes to build, plant and maintain a series of community gardens and orchards across Bermuda over the next 5 years.

Plots have been identified and will continue to be established on available, arable land offered by schools, playgrounds, parks, commercial spaces, government land and private property. Plot usage licenses will serve as official agreements for Healthy Harvest to use such land for the program.

Click here for more details on Healthy Harvest's background and Program Outline.

Phase III: Once a substantial yield is created from Healthy Harvest gardens and orchards, we will initiate community harvesting where families can pick fruits and vegetables for themselves, as well as participate in our 'giving back' basket where an amount that is collected to donate to a local food bank.

Greenrock will look at ways to help encourage communities to use locally-grown food as a way to help offset the cost of living – especially those from lower socio-economic sectors. We will encourage the formation of local growing cooperative or credit system where locally grown foods could be exchanged as barter or credits at local grocery stores as a means to purchase other food items.

Download a Healthy Harvest Bermuda flyer!
Healthy Harvest Flyer 1 (PDF 370 kb)
Healthy Harvest Flyer 2 (PDF 400 kb)

Contact

For more information about Healthy Harvest, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .