Chong Family Farm deliveries to Chinatown, 2023. Illustration by Rosena Fung.
File information | File dimensions | File size | Options |
Original JPG File | 2000 × 1100 pixels (2.2 MP) 16.9 cm × 9.3 cm @ 300 PPI |
1.1 MB | Restricted |
Screen | 1400 × 770 pixels (1.08 MP) 11.9 cm × 6.5 cm @ 300 PPI |
283 KB | Restricted |
Resource ID
10285
Access
Open
Date of Creation
June 2023
Keywords
Chinese Exclusion Act, Chinese-Canadian heritage, chong family farm
Program Category
Education and Engagement
Rights
Heritage Toronto and Rosena Fung (artist)
Caption
Chong Family Farm deliveries to Chinatown, 2023. Illustration by Rosena Fung.
Description
With the Exclusion Act repealed and the Chinese community in Toronto expanding, the Chong Family farm started to grow Chinese vegetables. During the period 1950-1964, the farm invested in new equipment, including an International Super A tractor, and started placing advertisements in the Shing Wah Daily News, a publication that served the Chinese Canadian community in Toronto. During the summer harvest months, the Chong farm offered overnight deliveries by train or bus to customers in Ontario and Quebec. They also became an important supplier for the Chinese restaurants in Toronto’s Chinatown, providing familiar flavours for the growing community in their new home.
In 1963, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority expropriated the Chong family farm due to its location on the Humber River floodplain. Charlie retired and returned to Hong Kong after selling the farm to the TRCA. Henry's son Harry and Charlie’s son, Kai-Yam Cheung, split the proceeds to found their own farms in Peel and Halton regions, respectively.