Baking Belonging: A Day with GIFTS at The Root
- SSI Farmland Trust
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
We’re delighted to share this wonderful glimpse into a special day at The Root, Salt Spring Island’s community food hub and culinary business incubator. In this video, participants from the GIFTS program — a vibrant group supporting adults with diverse abilities — come together for a fun and delicious cookie-baking party. Watching everyone measure, mix, bake, and laugh together reminds us why community spaces like The Root matter so much.
The Root, created by the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust, is more than just a certified commercial kitchen — it’s a place where people of all abilities learn new skills, build confidence, and connect with others through food.
As part of the Farmland Trust’s mission to help local food take root, The Root offers accessible commercial kitchen space and food-safe facilities for both individuals and small food businesses. It supports emerging food entrepreneurs and serves as a hub for learning, collaboration, and community food projects
Here, tenants and makers have crafted an incredible range of local food products — from artisan pastries and breads, to large-scale catering for weddings and events, vegan burgers, chai, preserves, and fermented goods. Many of these makers have since outgrown the space, moving on to bigger and more established operations, with The Root playing a key role in their early growth. This baking session was generously facilitated by Nia of Nance Bakes, one of The Root’s star tenants, who has since moved abroad. We’re a little (a lot) jealous of the folks who get to enjoy her cruellers now!
We’re proud to see programs like GIFTS using this space to bring joy, skill-building, and delicious food into people’s lives. The Root truly embodies community resilience, inclusion, and the joy of making and sharing good food together.
To learn more about The Root and how to get involved visit our website at: ssifarmlandtrust.org
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