A new greenhouse project in Lloydminster aims to help families struggling to put food on the table amid rising costs.
On April 1, 40 people attended a dinner meeting at the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre to learn about the new project.
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“We all have to eat,” said Raygan Solotki, a food security specialist. “No matter your background, politics, or religion, food connects us all.”
Solotki is leading the effort to build a large-scale greenhouse and food hub in Lloydminster. The project is supported by Lloydminster and Vermilion for Equity Foundation (LVE). Funding comes from the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, a federal initiative.
Solotki has worked in food security for over a decade. She started in the Arctic, running a massive 18,000-square-foot greenhouse and seven smaller greenhouses in remote Indigenous communities.
“I was hired to fly to seven communities and teach people how to garden,” said Solotki. “But it wasn’t rooted in traditional knowledge or community engagement. It was just to check a box for funding.”
She pushed for change. Instead of an outsider teaching gardening, she hired locals and trained them to run the greenhouses themselves.
“I can’t be the person on the ground,” she said. “I can facilitate, but local people need to lead.”
She says she’s working with the city to find the right place.
“They’ve offered us a space, and we’re figuring out if it’s the right one,” said Solotki.
The first phase includes a greenhouse, community workshops, and a shared kitchen. Solotki says she hopes the project will evolve.
“Hopefully, it will grow into a farmers’ market, a pop-up pay-what-you-can cafe, maybe even a permanent cafe,” she said.
Tigra-Lee Campbell, co-founder of LVE, believes the project will benefit everyone.
“This isn’t just for one group,” said Campbell. “It helps the whole community; food is expensive, and we need to build local capacity.”
Strong community support is key to the project’s success.
“The most successful projects are the ones where people decide from the start they will succeed,” said Solotki. “It’s about showing up. When there’s an event, go. When you hear something, spread the word.”
The project is currently looking for donations and volunteers.
“We’re looking for help,” said Campbell. “People can share our posts, invite friends, and join engagement sessions. There’s always work to do.”
The team will soon launch a Facebook page to share updates. They also welcome donations of materials, especially lumber, soil, and equipment.
“We could really use discounted lumber,” said Solotki. “Or someone with a Bobcat, any help makes a difference.”
The greenhouse arrives on May 12, but there’s still work to be done to bring the project to life.
“This is just the beginning,” said Solotki. “The more involved the community gets, the better this will be.”
For more information, follow LVE’s social media.
Read more: LVE creating cookbook for a cause
