Today, we want to talk about a powerhouse making a difference in Northern Ontario’s agri-food sector: The Fair Finance Fund (FFF). Since 2018, the FFF has been mobilizing accessible and equitable capital, providing loans, and investing in small to medium-sized food and farm businesses, particularly those operating in Northern Ontario. The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) was one of the founders …
In March, we conducted the Local Pulse Survey to understand community habits and interest in shopping in Algoma. This information aims to benefit Buy Algoma, Buy Local member businesses and the broader public. Before we get into our findings, we’d like to thank everyone who participated in the survey and shared it with their family and friends. We collected 925 …
On Thursday, April 6, we partnered with the Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy to host a webinar discussing strategies for building wholesale relationships with retailers and institutions from the perspective of Northern Ontario farmers. Our three presenters, each operating different farm businesses, shared insights about their experiences in wholesale markets. They all began through direct marketing to customers and …
When most people talk about growing plants, one of the first things that comes to mind is soil. However, within recent years more growers have begun to adopt systems that use no soil at all. Hydroponics is a broad term that describes systems of growing plants using a water-nutrient solution to deliver necessary nutrition for plant growth. Rather than the roots being …
[L’article en français suit ci-dessous] Maltese Grocery is a deli, grocery and Italian specialty store located in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Open since 1931, Maltese is currently owned and operated by brother and sister Dave Maltese and Lisa Maltese-Bourget, who have been involved in the business since they were children. The store focuses on customer service and offers quality, authentic and …
[L’article en français suit ci-dessous] St. Joseph Island Roasters has been roasting fairtrade organic coffee since 2009, in Richards Landing on St. Joseph Island, Ontario. Owned by Shane and Heather Hoffmann, the business started with a goal of providing the Algoma region with fresh roasted organic and fair-trade certified coffee. They are now delivering their products across northern Ontario. St. …
Three Forks Farms is a certified organic farm on Manitoulin Island, producing vegetables, pasture-raised chicken and garden seeds that are adapted to northern Ontario. Operating Three Forks Farms since 2015, owners Peggy Baillie and Eric Blondin are passionate about the food they grow, the animals they work with and the impact they have on the environment. “The farm operates …
Farming in northern Ontario is not without its challenges. Horticulture farmers and market gardeners in the north face many obstacles from extreme weather to blackflies. The Sustainable New Agri-Food Products and Productivity (SNAPP) Program assists farmers with purchasing innovative equipment to increase efficiency and create new products for a growing market. Sleepy G Farm is a small-scale, certified organic farm …
Grey Wolf Gardens (Cochrane, ON) is owned and operated by first generation farmers and husband-and-wife team, Luke Dinan and Eva Bonjour. Grey Wolf Gardens focuses on starting plants that are edible (annuals, perennials, veggies, fruit, etc), medicinal and culinary herbs, as well as plants that serve a function for eco-landscaping. The farm works to provide their local region with fresh, …
Come join Master Chef Emerie Brine as he demonstrates the ins and outs of safe home canning practices. Three workshops are being offered in collaboration with the Rural Agri-Innovation Network and the Lake Superior Living Labs Network. Events are being hosted with Johnson Township, the North Channel Food Co-op, St. Joseph Island Community Garden, and St. Joseph Island Horticultural Society. …
