The college is one of 10 sites across Canada that developed a campus living lab aimed at showcasing ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Angela Proudfoot, Canadore's sustainable food and clean water project administrator, was busy tending to the plants inside the pod Monday morning.
"We grow things like tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuces, and all kinds of herbs and plants," Proudfoot said. In the last four years, about 50 different plant types and species have grown in the greenhouse.
Colleges and Institutes Canada chose the school to participate in its 'ImpAct Climate Project' to look at finding solutions to reduce greenhouse gases through the displacement of fossil fuels.
"The project was selected due to necessity," said Jesse Russell, Canadore's sustainable development project leader. Canadore's investment in the sustainable food development site, the Controlled Environment Agriculture Centre of Excellence, is producing herbs and vegetables for the college's on-campus dining room, 100 Elements.
Much of the produce is being used by students in the school's culinary management program for their recipes and dishes. "Fresh is always best. It's a really great opportunity for us as students to be able to use the grow pod and access all these fresh ingredients that are nutritious," said Hannah Johnston, Canadore College culinary management student.