This past spring, Jasper was hit with an unusual dilemma: there was no guacamole in town. Grocery stores were short and nacho eaters grumbled in protest.

The loss was by no means a food crisis. Guacamole is hardly a staple in anyone’s diet, but the event, however small, taught Jasperites a small lesson in food security. Dependence on food from afar has its share of perils.

Which was why the loss of a community greenhouse is truly disappointing for the community of Jasper, and a coup for the Town of Hinton.

While Jasper struggled with location, local responsibility and other factors, the Town of Hinton wrote a cheque to a community group for $20,000, who paid a contractor to get the greenhouse to town. For four days, a crew dismantled the Kinder Morgan gift. Hinton planners have found a desired location for the greenhouse on Switzer Drive, and the hope of growing vegetables 10 months a year, beginning this spring, is closer to reality. Community greenhouses allow gardeners to grow food in a manner they wish – using organic or non organic, pesticide heavy or pesticide free, heritage or genetically modified seeds.

Community gardens and greenhouses have many benefits: food security, job creation and a reduced carbon footprint fall at the top of the list. The advantages of locally grown food have been trumpeted around the globe, as consumers are finding alternatives to factory farms, where they have better control of their food supply and become less reliant on global fluctuations. One recalls the massive jump in fruit and vegetable prices when the price of gas shot up in 2008. As the concentration of ownership in the food industry increases to the point where only a handful of companies control all of our food, locally grown food becomes more important.

Hinton and Jasper have many factors preventing vegetable gardens from prospering naturally. Hinton only had 70 frost free days last year, which isn’t a tomato-friendly environment. A greenhouse is a safe and proven alternative for gardeners, and also serves as a community hub, where gardeners can exchange stories, tips and seeds in hopes of creating a greater level of diversity.

Lori Rissling-Wynn is correct in calling for more support from the community for initiatives such as a greenhouse. While such programs can be seeded by town and parks staff, if Jasperites truly want a community service, they must come together and make it happen. A community greenhouse is in the draft community sustainability plan, and many residents have voiced their support. It’s time to form a group to ensure the next time an opportunity such as a free greenhouse is presented, Jasper is well positioned to take advantage.

In the meantime, they can drive to Hinton to grow their own vegetables.