Zawadi Farm: Urban Agriculture Rooted in Community

Zawadi Farms, Downsview Park, Toronto ON

Zawadi Farm is more than just an urban farm—it is a community-driven food and sustainability hub that blends regenerative agriculture, education, and economic empowerment. Located in Downsview Park, Toronto, Zawadi Farm is a Toronto-based farm part of the Harambee Collective, a network of urban farms working collaboratively to strengthen local food systems and create a just and resilient agricultural economy.

At its core, Zawadi Farm is dedicated to regenerative agricultural practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Zawadi restores ecosystems, improves yields, and reduces dependency on external inputs through composting, crop rotation, cover cropping, and no-till farming. By capturing carbon in the soil and minimizing waste, the farm contributes to a healthier planet while ensuring long-term food security.

Food Security & Community Wellbeing

Zawadi Farm actively mitigates food insecurity by providing fresh, locally grown, and culturally relevant produce to urban communities. The farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program supplies households with fresh, seasonal vegetables while building deeper connections between consumers and their food sources. Recognizing that affordability is a significant barrier, Zawadi offers subsidized CSA shares to ensure that food-insecure families can access high-quality, nutritious food at reduced or no cost. The farm extends its impact through partnerships with food hubs, local food banks, and grassroots organizations, ensuring equitable food distribution within Toronto’s most vulnerable communities.

Beyond food production, Zawadi Farm is a center for education, workforce training, and community engagement. The farm runs hands-on workshops, school programs, and farmer training sessions to teach urban agriculture, food literacy, and environmental sustainability. Zawadi Farm inspires the next generation of farmers, entrepreneurs, and sustainability leaders by collaborating with schools, universities, and community groups.

The Barn at Zawadi Farm – A Community Hub

One of the farm’s most ambitious projects is The Barn at Downsview Park—a multi-use event space, coffee shop, and educational hub that fosters community connections through food, culture, and sustainability. The Barn’s seasonal flower and pollinator garden enhances the space’s beauty while serving as an outdoor classroom for environmental learning. The on-site café, The Carbon Snack Bar, will feature ethically sourced coffee and farm-inspired offerings, creating a welcoming space for visitors, CSA members, and event attendees. The Barn will also host farm-to-table dinners, community markets, and cultural events, reinforcing Zawadi Farm’s mission of bringing people together around local food and shared experiences.

Collective Economic Empowerment

Zawadi Farm believes in strengthening the local food economy by uplifting other small-scale farmers, food entrepreneurs, and community organizations. Through the Harambee Collective, the farm shares resources, labor, and market access with partner farms, ensuring financial sustainability and supporting fellow farmers in Toronto. The farm is also committed to purchasing locally—from seeds and soil amendments to equipment and packaging—ensuring that economic resources stay within Ontario’s communities.

Zawadi Farm creates meaningful employment opportunities for local residents, offering positions for farm workers, market staff, event coordinators, and baristas at The Barn. By prioritizing fair wages and providing hands-on training in agriculture, food service, and business operations, the farm equips individuals with valuable skills and pathways toward economic stability.

In addition to CSA sales, Zawadi Farm is a key player in Toronto’s farmers’ market scene, supplying fresh produce directly to consumers who value local, organic, and sustainably grown food. The farm is also expanding its wholesale partnerships with restaurants, institutions, and food hubs looking for ethically sourced ingredients. As consumer demand for sustainable and traceable food continues to grow, Zawadi is well-positioned to meet this need while diversifying its revenue streams.

Future Growth & Infrastructure Investment

To deepen its impact, Zawadi Farm is working to secure long-term land tenure at Downsview Park, ensuring stability for future expansion. Investments in irrigation, infrastructure, and technological improvements will optimize farm operations, enhance productivity, and mitigate risks from unpredictable weather conditions. Plans for The Barn include scaling up event offerings, expanding partnerships with chefs, and developing more educational programming, solidifying Zawadi as a cornerstone of Toronto’s sustainable food movement.

A Model for Urban Agriculture & Community-Led Change

With the support of Fair Finance Fund, Zawadi Farm is poised to scale its operations, expand market access, and deepen its role in food justice, sustainability, and economic development. By integrating food production, education, and entrepreneurship, the farm demonstrates that urban agriculture is a viable and transformative model for a more equitable and resilient food system.

Through its innovative approach, deep community ties, and commitment to sustainability, Zawadi Farm is proving that small farms can drive big change—not just in how food is grown, but in how communities thrive.