Have you noticed the contraption in the window at the Artists' Co-op? It's a solar food dryer!

After a makeover by the talented artists at the Co-op, the dryer will go into service at the Canadian Mental Health Association's Food Forest at St. George's Park. The dryer was designed, tested and modified over a period of 2 decades as a research project at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. The students in the Wood Technology course at OSDSS built this for the CMHA Food Forest, modifying the design for Owen Sound's latitude, and incorporating some innovative ideas of their own in the process.

At the Food Forest the dryer will be put to work drying herbs for seasonings and teas, and drying fruit as the orchard shrubs and trees develop over the years to come.

The Food Forest is the 2016 National Aviva Community Fund Winner for Community Resilience, and Aviva's recognition and generous involvement has been a key element in making possible the ambitious plan to develop this part of St. George's Park. The whole community is welcome to come and take part in growing the healthy, nourishing food that all deserve, in a safe and supportive environment. When completed late this year, the Food Forest will be a joyful place for learning, teaching, connecting, and giving back to our community through food sharing and programming.

CMHA Grey Bruce extends a big THANK YOU to the great students and instructors at OSDSS, our amazing local artists, the Aviva Community Fund, and to all those individuals and organizations that have helped and offered encouragement along the way.

For more information on the Food Forest, and how you can be involved, please call CMHA Grey Bruce at 519-371-3642 ext. 184.

source: media release, Canadian Mental Health Association - Grey Bruce