“The Garden”, a short film by Amy McQuaid-England, tells the story of one family and the South Patch community garden they tend to and harvest from often. The documentary will be featured at Film Fridays at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery Oct 7 2016 as part of the monthly RMG Friday.

McQuaid-England says she made the documentary to show the physical and mental health benefits neighbourhood gardens bring to families such as Sheila’s. In impoverished areas community gardens provide much needed free and fresh fruit and vegetables. Tending to the garden also provides a sense of purpose and importantly hope.

“Food insecurity exists in our neighbourhoods and access to free fresh locally grown food from neighbourhood gardens is important to building complete communities and supporting our neighbours,” says McQuaid-England.

This is McQuaid-England’s first film. She is a graduate of Seneca’s Documentary Filmmaking Institute (DFI) 2016 summer program as well as Durham College’s Print Journalism program (2008). McQuaid-England has been a Regional and City Councillor in Oshawa fro the past six years.

“The Garden” premiered at the Bloor Hot Docs Theatre in August and was recognized as a Bronze Winner at the 2016 International Film Awards.

The South Patch community garden is supported by We Grow Food, an organisation founded by Carol Vandersanden. The organization believes that everyone deserves access to free fresh locally grown food.

Everyone deserves to see McQuaid-England's “The Garden”. It’s a fresh look at Oshawa’s locally grown community building by someone not afraid to dig in and get her hands dirty.