Portable pyramids producing food for those in need in Victoria
You could call it a literal pyramid scheme: 28 physical pyramids set up on the grounds of Government House in Victoria.
Unlike in a metaphorical pyramid scheme, however, the people behind these pyramids aren't trying to get rich. They're trying to feed those in need.
Each of the 28 pyramids holds 136 plants, which the Harvest and Share Food Society distributes to local food banks when they're mature. When the weather co-operates, the group harvests as many as 600 plants per week.
"The City of Victoria Get Growing Victoria program provides us with the seedlings," said Allan Murr, the society's president, who first designed the pods on the back of a napkin 10 years ago.
The patented pyramids give the plants a healthy dose of nutrient-rich water every hour.
“The water drips back down into our trays and drains back into our reservoir and (gets) reused," Murr explained.
He initially launched a business with his design, growing 15,000 basil plants at a time.
"I was kind of dubbed the basil man at that point," Murr said.
Unfortunately for him, the idea didn't really catch on.
"(It was) not well received; perhaps ahead of its time," he said.
Murr – whose background is in IT – took a break from the basil business and put the pods in storage. But when the pandemic hit, he started thinking about how he could use them again.
"(Victoria City) Councillor Ben Isitt was talking about food security and I was just thinking, 'I have these pods stored and they should be used for something,'" Murr said.
A team of volunteers – including Murr and his daughter – maintain the plants and distribute them around the city.
One of the places they deliver their goods is the Quadra Village Community Centre's food share program, which has been seeing 1,000 people per month looking for help.
Kelly Greenwell, the centre's executive director, appreciates the work the Harvest and Share Food Society is doing.
"People like Allan that are looking for opportunities to give back to community and recognize the needs around them is so essential right now," Greenwell said.
Others are taking notice of the green pyramid scheme too.
"We do have about 20 of these at Microsoft's Seattle campus where they grow food for their employees," Murr said.
He's hoping this time around the pods will catch on and help more people gain access to fresh food.
With files from CTV Vancouver Island's Todd Harmer
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
A renewed Russian offensive on Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine forces some 1,700 civilians to flee
Russian forces began a renewed ground assault in Ukraine's northeast, killing and injuring several people and forcing more than 1,700 civilians to evacuate from the Kharkiv region, officials said Saturday.
Israel orders new evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as it prepares to expand operations
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to move as it prepares to expand its operation and adding that it is also moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.