Verdura Giardino (Vegetable Garden)

Back in Italy (especially in the smaller farm towns) every household had a garden where they would grow their own fruits and vegetables. Times were a little tough back then and growing your own food was not only a way to save some money but it also guaranteed food on the table.  When my family immigrated to Canada they kept a tradition from the old country in their own backyards. 

Growing up my parents forced me to eat my fruit and vegetables every day (eh, but whose parents didn’t).  What separated the ones I was eating from the other kids was the fact that mine were grown fresh...right from Nonno’s garden.  Every summer my Nonno and Nonna would take my siblings and me to their backyard to go pick fresh fruit and veggies from the backyard.  They grew everything tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, grapes, strawberry’s and so much more, you name it they had it.  It was like going to an outdoor grocery store; now that I think about it I don’t think I’ve ever seen my mom go to a grocery store for fruit or vegetables in the summer. There was no need.  

Although gardens are more common among the older retired Italians it is still a tradition that is exercised yearly in most Italian families. Despite the fact that it is not as necessary to do so anymore, it is a hobby that keeps Italian culture strong. I am thankful to be brought up in a family that still exercises an old tradition.

Grazie e Arrivederci!

The Beginning

Hello, or should I say...Ciao!!  My name is Fabio Manfré and if you haven’t already guessed I am Italian. I was born and raised in a traditional Italian family. We have a beautiful way of life and traditions that have been passed on through the generations. Over the next few weeks I want to teach you about my culture and what it encompasses.

But before I begin with that let me tell you a bit about my family’s history and how we ended up in this great country Canada.

My father was born in Monsoreto a small town in the region of Calabria. I remember as a kid him telling me stories about the old country and how there was only 3 stores in the whole town and a population of only 1200 people.  It was a simpler life, they would rarely go to buy stuff at the store, and when it came time for food, they would eat what they grew in the garden. When he was 10 years old they made the decision to move to a country with more opportunity, a better life...they decided to move to Canada. The year was 1969 he boarded the ship Cristoforo Colombo, and set sail for a new life.  When I asked him what it was like on the boat he said “There was more people in the boat than the town.”  After 8 days on sea they landed in Halifax at Pier 21, from there they took a train for 3 days to Toronto. With little money and a lot of hope, a new life began.

My mother was also born in a small town known as Delia which is in the region of Sicily. Delia was a small farming community with little industry, which meant there was little work to support everyone in the town.  My mom was 3 years old when they decided to move to Canada. They travelled by plane and arrived in April 1964. I can only imagine the feeling of not knowing what to expect when arriving in a new world, but it was a chance they had to take for an opportunity to live a better life.

Although my family has been in Canada for over 40 years our roots are still in Italy and the traditions and values my parents came to this country with will live on through me and my siblings the new and first generation of Italian Canadians in my family.

Grazie e Arrivederci!