Produce Auction Meetings in Nova Scotia

Spirit Nova Scotia representatives Nicole Burkhard and Dr. Ralph Martin will be visiting various communities throughout Nova Scotia this December to talk about the results of the Produce Auction Feasibility Study. Farm producers and produce buyers are encouraged to attend. Lunch or nutritional breaks will be provided.

You're invited to join us at a meeting location near you:

Kentville: Wednesday, December 3rd 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Cornwallis Room of the Kentville Research Station (32 Main St.). Lunch will be provided by the Kings County Federation of Agriculture

Truro:      Tuesday, December 9th 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Alumni Hall of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (62 Cumming Dr.)

Sydney:    Wednesday, December 10th 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cape Breton Farmers' Market building (340 Keltic Dr.)

Everyone is welcome. Please RSVP by e-mail at nsproduceauction@gmail.com 

Buyers

Who are the buyers at wholesale produce auctions? 

Many buyers are farmers who also sell at the auction - they buy produce that they don't grow themselves or that need more volume of for their roadside stands or to sell at their farmer's market stall. 

Other buyers include farm markets, independent grocery stores, resellers, restaurants, and grocery chains.

At the Elmira Produce Auction near Kitchener, Ontario, the auction is also a means for getting local produce into large grocery stores and university cafeterias. Buyers come from 4 Foodland grocery stores in the area as well as from the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo's food service companies. They are trying to address the huge demand from their customers for local produce, and they feel it makes sense to support local farmers in their region. 

Growers

Many farmers who sell at produce auctions in the United States and Ontario are from Amish and Mennonite communities. Some are new to growing produce altogether and most use it to supplement their farm income (usually dairy, hogs and beef) to allow for more family members to make a living on the farm. 

Regardless of experience, growers learn quickly that high quality and good grading is paramount. The purpose of wholesale produce auctions is to buy and sell good quality produce for a reasonable price. Prices fluctuate throughout the season and growers mention that it's important to consider the average for the season and not get too excited about high prices or too disappointed about low prices. 

Local Food Award Winners Announced!

The judges had a hard time choosing between the nominees, but the results are in and the winners of the business, producer and non-profit categories are, respectively:

Sean Gallagher of Local Source Market (Halifax, NS)

Jeremy Frith & Sue Brown, Mountain Meadow Farm (Baddeck, NS)

Kathy Aldous & Hazel Dill, with the Dr. Arthur Hines School, Friends of Harmony Park, and the Hants Shore Community Health Centre for the Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School Garden (Summerville, NS)

Many thanks to to Oceanstone Inn & Cottages and The Rhubarb Grill & Cafe, the Chanterelle Country Inn and Cottages, the Old Orchard Inn, the Tempest Restaurant and Taste of Nova Scotia for donating prizes for this award.

Local Food Award

Another initiative of the Local Food Team is the 1st Annual Spirit Nova Scotia Local Food Award, which celebrates individuals, businesses and organizations that have made a significant contribution to the local food movement in Nova Scotia.

The deadline for nominations was August 4th and there were over thirty entries! The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and awarded their prizes at a Select Nova Scotia Incredible Picnic (www.selectnovascotia.ca) on Sunday, August 24th.

Congratulations to all of the nominees!

US produce auctions

I visited six produce auctions in the United States back in May and have lots of pictures and materials to share.