Black Food Sovereignty Initiatives: Harvest Collective and Learning Circle
The Harvest Collective and the Learning Circle programs are Black Food Sovereignty initiatives at the Urban Farm. Launched in 2021, these programs aim to engage Black students, faculty, staff and the broader community through the sharing of food, from farm to table. On the Urban Farm rooftops, we grow a variety of crops and medicines that are culturally significant across the African diaspora.
Through this work, we are challenging the systemic racism that persists within contemporary food production, urban agricultural systems and within our institutions by developing opportunities for Black-centric programming, training and food cultivation right here on campus.
The Harvest Collective, a Black Food Sovereignty initiative at the Urban Farm, invites members of the Black Faculty & Staff Community Network (BFSCN) to share in the harvest of crops enjoyed across the African diaspora by participating in the new Bankra Basket Harvest Share program.
What you'll find in your Bankra Basket
The Jamaican word for basket is bankra and originates from the Akan peoples who live in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Your bankra will include a variety of freshly harvested produce that is culturally significant across the African diaspora.
Each bankra will reflect what is currently in season and include enough fresh produce for 1 or 2 people to enjoy throughout the week. Follow us on Instagram (external link) to see what might be in your bankra basket!
Pricing
Bankra Baskets are only $20 per week for Toronto Metropolitan University’s BFSCN members. Participation is flexible so you may purchase as few or as many bankras as you choose. However, please note there will only be 10 Bankra Baskets available per week, so if you would like to ensure a bankra is available for multiple weeks, it is recommended you purchase them in advance. There is a limit of 2 bankras per person per week.
How to Purchase a Bankra Basket
Participants can pre-order their Bankra Basket in advance as many weeks as they choose. The weekly deadline to complete a purchase is every Monday by 3 p.m. while quantity lasts.
Dates and times
The Bankra Basket Harvest Share starts on Friday, August 9 and run weekly until Friday, September 27 (*with the exception of Friday, August 19 and Friday, September 20). The pick-up time is weekly between 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Pick-up Location
Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex (DCC), 8th floor, 288 Church St.
Please note that all Bankra Baskets must be picked up on Fridays during the pick-up window of 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. as we are unable to store your bankra over the weekend or arrange a delivery. As we are not able to process any refunds, if you are unable to pick-up your Bankra Basket during the pick-up window the Urban Farm will donate your bankra to a community partner on your behalf.
Refund policy
Bankra Baskets are non-refundable due to the nature of the Urban Farm operations. If you have to cancel your order, you may receive a credit for the Farm Stand or you may choose another week to receive your order. Any cancellations made within less than 24 hours notice will not receive Farm Stand credit and will not be rescheduled. Thank you for your understanding.
The Learning Circle program offers a wide variety of experiential learning workshops aimed at engaging the Black community as we explore Black Food Sovereignty in action.
Learning Circles are focused on knowledge mobilization around topics like Black food history, the contributions Black communities have made to food systems, food and climate justice and engagement through food production. Food literacy is also an important theme, with participants exploring the connections between nutrition and food, physical health and mental well-being, while also fostering a meaningful sense of belonging and community healing.
Learning Circles are scheduled to take place the third Friday of each month from June to September. Participants are welcome to register for individual sessions, although return visitors are always welcome!
Please note we prioritize participation for youth, students and community members of all ages who self-identify as Black (African, Caribbean and Black of African descent.) In addition, anyone who self-identifies as First Nations, Inuit or Métis are always welcome. In the event there are still spots available for an upcoming Learning Circle session, we welcome all community members who would appreciate learning more about Black Food Sovereignty and sustainable urban agriculture.
Follow us on Instagram (external link) to keep up-to-date on featured topics and guest facilitators for each monthly Learning Circle workshop.
Dates and times
Learning Circles run on the third Friday of each month from June to September and take place from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location
Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex (DCC), 8th floor, 288 Church St.
The four pillars of the Harvest Collective and Learning Circle
More than a bag of food
We aim to engage the Black community through the multi-faceted lens of food, underpinned by four key pillars:
Food literacy
- Access to nutritious food
- Meal planning and food budgeting
- Health, disease prevention and food as medicine
Food and social justice
- Food policy advocacy
- Representation in local food systems
- Equity in accessing spaces
- Confronting anti-Black racism
Environmental stewardship
- Ecology
- Environmental healing
- Regenerative farming
- Rooftop farming knowledge mobilization
Community healing
- Inclusivity
- Knowledge reclamation
- Sense of belonging
Collaboration and requests
The Harvest Collective and Learning Circle welcomes requests to collaborate by both internal and external groups. We prioritize intentional and purposeful collaboration requests that are grounded in the 3Bs: Black-led, Black-mandated and Black-serving, however, anyone interested in this work is welcome to get in touch.
If you have an idea or request that supports the goals of the Harvest Collective and Learning Circle, please contact Nicole Austin, Black-led programs coordinator for the Urban Farm, at n1austin@torontomu.ca. You can also visit our tours page to book a tour of the Harvest Collective and Learning Circle