Support local and play outside at Hanks Farm Market

When visiting schools we always discuss Energy Efficiency and our Ecological or Carbon Footprints. I ask them, “what can we do to shrink our carbon footprint?” A great way to start is to try and eat more locally-grown food! What is the benefit of eating local? It helps support local businesses, the food tastes delicious and fresh, and it creates less pollution as we reduce the distance the food will have to travel from the ground to our plates! If some students  in the Sydney area are asked , where they can buy locally grown produce they always say, “Hanks Farm!”.

Hanks Farm Market is located in Millville, Cape Breton. Fall has always been a busy season but October is when they truly come alive. Hanks Farm sees a rise in customers and visiting schools throughout the fall coming to check out their local produce, baked goods, flowers, plants, and pumpkins that are perfect for carving. Hanks offers informational tours of the farm to visiting students on field trips and after the tour they can pick their own pumpkin to take home. 

Hanks has also worked hard to create spaces full of art and fun activities like painted haybales, a bounce pad, corn maze, and an extended playground area, to encourage people to put down their electronics and play outside! Recently, Hanks farm has joined Nourish to help bring more local produce into the schools with their program “Nourish Your Roots”. This program helps students continue to eat clean and local produce while minimizing travel and keeping business here at home.

-Genaya Fraser

Cape Breton Engagement Officer