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
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.