How Toronto Metropolitan University’s rooftop garden grows community

July 3, 2026 – This week, listeners take a dive into the world of one of Toronto Metropolitan University’s rooftop gardens through host Claire Van De Weghe’s interviews with program supervisors. She speaks to farm Manager Arlene Thorness about the essential role these gardens play in keeping visitors healthy, happy, and culturally fulfilled. Program coordinator Nicole Austin discusses how the garden fulfills visitors, and how her programs under the Black Food Sovereignty Initiative give participants connections to culture through the traditional crops they harvest and techniques they practice. She goes further into her multi-generational, community-oriented programs to give listeners an understanding of what sets programs at the DCC Rooftop Gardens apart from others in the city. Bilal Ali Sabry has the news.