A growing number of families try to live more sustainably. There is nothing more sustainable than growing your own food. Thanks to Syötävä Puisto, Helsinki residents don’t need a garden to grow vegetables. Syötävä Puisto (Edible Park) is a public project that promotes urban farming. To no cost, families volunteer to grow crops and ripe the fruits of their hard work. Children in particular can learn to grow their own food in small spaces. I interviewed Amanda, a member of Slow Food Helsinki and one of the volunteers running the project.

Can you briefly describe what SP is?

Syötävä Puisto is a community and environmental education project open to all residents in the Helsinki capital region (see on the map). The project gives the opportunity for people to grow vegetables and plants outdoors and get acquainted with urban farming. Anyone can get involved in the project. Together we look after the farm, taking care of the planting, watering, weeding, composting, and harvesting. Volunteers run tasks together at a weekly “talkoot” (a communal work session, ed.) every Wednesday afternoon during the summer months.

When did you start this project?

The Finnish Association for Rural Education (Maaseudun Sivistysliitto) established Syötävä Puisto in 2014. The association received a 3-year grant to establish the farm as an educational experiment. After the project finished in 2016, the volunteers decided to keep the farm running as it received such a great response from the local community. The project is now run completely by volunteers.
The Helsinki City Youth Services department has also been supporting the project: the Youth Services team look after the farmhouse and run workshops for children and youth during the summer months. Every summer young people run an eco café run – sadly, this year we canceled the scheme due to the COVID-19 situation. Youth Services are still running several workshops this summer, including a spray-painting workshop and activity club for school kids.

What inspired you to start SP and what are the goals of the project?

Slow Food Helsinki has been partnering with Syötävä Puisto since 2019, mainly helping to look after the farm and raise awareness amongst the international community in Helsinki. We are organising visits in English in June, July and August, introducing the project to international families and people living in Helsinki. During the visit, there’s a brief intro and tour of the farm, then we participate in the weekly talkoot to learn about growing and looking after plants.

Can you share the most rewarding aspects or results so far?

The project has a wonderful community spirit! Everyone gives their time for free and it is rewarding in so many ways. It’s a lovely opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds, share gardening tips, and learn how to grow plants. You also get to take home fresh veggies at the end of every talkoot!

How is SP good for families and children, any experience to share?

Syötävä Puisto is a great place for families and children to learn about nature and how to grow plants. The kids really love to help at the farm – you can see their joy in connecting with nature. They love to help planting seeds, watering and taking care of seedlings, and picking the veggies when they are ready. I love seeing their faces when they pull out a big carrot – they are so amazed. Of course, they want to rinse and eat it straight away – the best way to eat veggies! The kids also love the chickens, there are usually 8-10 chickens in the chicken house every summer.
I’ve taken my own son along with me to Syötävä Puisto for a few years, I can see it has had a big impact on him. He now grows his own veggies in our small home garden, and helps with cooking, loves to pick things from the garden and cook something fresh and tasty. My son also talks about farming all the time – his latest idea is to invent new ways to grow plants in urban spaces, such as vertical farming.

How can a family or person sign up? Are there costs associated?

We encourage families to join the monthly visits to Syötävä Puisto. The next visit is on Wednesday 19 August from 17:00 to 19:00, there’s an event page on Facebook. It’s also possible to sign-up for the weekly talkoot by sending a message to slowfoodhelsinki@gmail.com. There’s a Facebook page & Messenger group for regular volunteers.
No cost involved. Some people may like to bring their own gloves and gardening equipment, but we also have plenty of equipment available at the farm. You don’t need to make any commitments, just come to the farm when you have time!

Featured image courtesy of Teemu Hänninen.