With rising food costs and increasing impacts of climate change, organizers of Victoria's annual Seedy Saturday say the event has never been more important.
Since 1994, the world's second-ever Seedy Saturday has been a "cornerstone event" in the region, where residents can exchange and buy seeds and plants, while also learning about gardening, climate-adapted food growing and ecological stewardship.
“As a thirty-something individual who is living through my first economic downturn as an adult, I've been more motivated than ever to grow my own food, support local businesses, and build resiliency in the face of the climate and housing crisis. This was my first year attending Victoria Seedy Saturday and I can't imagine an event that is better positioned to help me grow in my journey of building resiliency, community, and food," explained one event participant in a news release.
After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Seedy Saturday returned in February 2024 to a smaller venue. Despite "unrelenting rain," the event saw more than 1,100 attendees.
On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, Seedy Saturday organizers are calling on the community to help move the event to a larger, more accessible venue for 2025.
"While we were thrilled by the continued interest in this vital event and the determination of all those who attended, we haven’t been able to secure the necessary funding this year to cover the increased costs associated with moving to a larger venue," said Lisa Small, Victoria Seedy Saturday Coordinator, in the release.
Victoria Seedy Saturday is seeking tax-deductible donations through its CanadaHelps page to cover the costs of moving the event to a larger venue for February 2025. The new venue will allow for increased capacity, more local vendors, expanded educational space to allow more participants to attend free speaker sessions and better accessibility features.
