Category Archive

Spoiler Alert…RAIN is a Collaborator! In a remarkable recognition of innovation and collaborative prowess, the Weston Foundation’s Homegrown Innovation Challenge has provided a game-changing grant of $1,000,000 to 11 teams who are “future-proofing food production in Canada”. At the forefront of this groundbreaking endeavor is the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre’s RAIN (Rural Agri-Innovation Network) division, and partners Collège Boréal, …

[L’article en français suit ci-dessous] Demand for locally grown cut flowers is growing, and Ontario’s local cut flower industry is growing alongside it.  The floriculture industry is divided into bedding/spring plants, potted flowering/foliage plants, and cut flowers.  The flower industry in Ontario accounts for $800 million in sales and half of that gets shipped to the United States.    Ontario flower …

[L’article en français suit ci-dessous] The climate crisis and rising grocery store prices are increasing uncertainty for consumers. This situation is driving more and more people to grow their own food and plant native plants to restore ecological habitats. Concurrently, farmers in the north are becoming more invested in seed cultivation due to its potential environmental benefits and market need.   …

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 …

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. …