Urban Fresh Organics: Growing Organic Food and Opportunity in Ottawa

Urban Fresh Organics began in 2021 at the JustFood Community Farm, where the team spent four seasons growing certified organic vegetables and seedlings while building a loyal customer base. Since then, the farm has transitioned to a new long-term agricultural lease with the National Capital Commission (NCC), marking an important milestone in its growth. The 2025 season represents the first full year of production on this new site — and a pivotal moment for scaling the operation sustainably.

Urban Fresh Organics grows certified organic vegetables and seedlings, operates a small CSA, supplies chefs and restaurants, and has established a farmstand at its new location. The farm also supports food services at Carleton University and collaborates closely with businesses within Ottawa’s Afro-Caribbean community. These partnerships reflect a broader mission: to provide high-quality organic produce while growing culturally relevant crops that serve Afro-Caribbean communities in the region.

At its core, Urban Fresh Organics is about more than farming. It is about representation, food sovereignty, and inspiring the next generation. The farm is rooted in Afro-Caribbean agricultural traditions and actively works to inspire youth to explore careers in agriculture and agri-business through internships, seedling sales, and hands-on education. By building both production systems and training pathways, the farm is strengthening long-term community food security.

With a long-term lease now secured, Urban Fresh Organics is investing in the infrastructure and equipment necessary to operate at a scale that supports profitability while remaining ecologically responsible. Fair Finance Fund financing is helping strengthen key components of the farm’s growth plan: equipment, infrastructure, staffing, and branding.

Investments include purchasing a tractor with essential attachments to improve field efficiency, expanding wash-and-pack capacity, retrofitting part of an existing building into a storefront, and scaling up the laying hen operation to meet customer demand for eggs. Additional support is enabling the farm to hire staff during the growing season and invest in branding and marketing tools that increase visibility along a busy main road.

The storefront, seedling greenhouse, and chicken operation are already underway. The next phase focuses on expanding production capacity — including exploring four-season growing solutions such as passive solar or geothermal greenhouse systems. Extending the season will allow the farm to supply fresh produce for more months of the year, including to a local food bank that serves African and Caribbean families. That program currently feeds hundreds of people weekly, and Urban Fresh Organics is working toward dedicating greenhouse space to provide fresh harvests for a significant portion of the year.

Environmental stewardship remains central to operations. As a certified organic farm, Urban Fresh Organics uses minimal tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, and soil-building practices to preserve soil structure and organic matter. By keeping soil covered and incorporating compost responsibly — particularly in sandy soils that require careful amendment — the farm supports carbon sequestration and long-term land health.

Community reciprocity is also a defining feature. Urban Fresh Organics hosts an annual Greenhouse Family Fun Day that brings together local businesses and residents, strengthening relationships across Ottawa’s food ecosystem. A beekeeper will be joining the farm this season, further diversifying offerings and contributing to pollination and ecological resilience.

Looking ahead, the vision includes expanded greenhouse production, improved storage capacity for root crops, and year-round food availability. With refined business planning, dedicated marketing support, and the right blend of infrastructure and labour, Urban Fresh Organics is building a sustainable operation designed to serve its community for generations.

Fair Finance Fund is proud to support Urban Fresh Organics as it scales thoughtfully on its new land. By investing in equipment, infrastructure, and community-rooted production systems, this partnership helps strengthen Ottawa’s organic food economy while advancing culturally relevant agriculture and long-term food security.