We are excited to announce the launch of a new project to incubate a unique business for the purpose of creating passively cooled root cellars in both residential homes and community centers.  

 

Ian Findlay, a well-known community leader and activist with tremendous business and construction knowledge is the project's 

Co-ordinator and Lead-Builder, and someone we are very grateful to have on board!

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“Transition Guelph identified an opportunity to improve local food resilience and food sovereignty by adopting the ancient technique of root cellar and cold-room storage.” said Steve Tedesco, TG Chair and project sponsor. He added, “Passively cooled root cellars have so many cool benefits. They are sustainable, use no energy, allow storage of nutritious, locally grown produce over the long winter months, minimize the impact of disruptions to global supply chains, and eliminate most of the associated food miles and food packaging waste.”  For more details on the benefits, please see our info sheet or blog post.

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The root cellar development process starts with a free site visit, assessment and estimate of cost. Priority will be given to homes that have an existing room under the concrete porch that need some improvements to make them functional once more. This type of project is the simplest and most cost-effective for creating a cold-room.

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You can take a look at Woodside Root Cellar's flier here or listen to Steve Tedesco and Ian Findlay discuss root cellars on the Food.Garden.Life podcast with Steven Biggs. 

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We are open to expressions of interest for cold-rooms from anyone living in Wellington County by emailing info@transitionguelph.org or calling Ian at 519-827-7283.