Belleville’s Gleaners Food Bank expands fresh produce efforts with year-round growing dome

From tomatoes and green beans to radishes and leafy greens, Gleaners Food Bank is continuing to expand its produce offerings to help feed the growing number of people in Belleville and area facing food insecurity.

What started as a few community garden plots has blossomed into a year-round growing dome on Wallbridge Crescent in Belleville. Measuring 42 feet in diameter, the temperature inside the structure is warm enough to grow food even during the coldest months of the year.

Gleaners announced this week it has just completed a new fence installation at the site of the growing space, which yielded its first harvest in 2025 of one kilogram of radishes. 

“The former executive director had a vision and a dream to (create the growing dome) and it came to fruition,” said Jodie Jenkins, Gleaners’ community engagement specialist. 

“Prior to that, there were community garden-type plots that had already been set up and going at Gleaners. The growing dome is kind of the next level of what the food bank wanted to do. The whole premise of it was to give us an environment where we could grow healthy, fresh produce for the users of the food bank year-round,” Jenkins explained. 

Gleaners staff and volunteers pack the food hampers and top them up with the fruit, vegetables, and herbs in season at the time. 

The dome also features a pond with koi fish, which is known to have a positive impact on the overall ecosystem inside the growing space, Jenkins noted. The growing dome is overseen by Gleaners’ staff member Tammy Hellam, who is always testing out new ideas and opportunities for the space, and ultimately what food it can produce, Jenkins explained. 

“A huge thank you to Tammy and her incredible team for their hard work, dedication, and passion in making this project a success,” Gleaners noted in a social media post at the time of the initial harvest. 

“Your efforts in the growing dome are planting seeds of hope and making a real difference in the fight against food insecurity.

“We’re excited to continue expanding and enhancing our ability to provide fresh, sustainable food to those in need. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier future for our community.”

The non-profit food bank, located at 25 Wallbridge Cres., welcomes people who wish to help with the gardening tasks. For more information about becoming a volunteer, visit the website at Gleaners Foodbank.