Nicholas Donaldson
The first Rainy River District hub of the Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op is now up and running.
The Dryden-based online farmers’ market operated in Emo for the first time yesterday (Nov. 21) at its location at Emo Feed Service.
As with other hubs, members were able to shop online for products through the Cloverbelt website from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning, when the order was locked in.
Producer drop-off then was on Tuesday from noon-2 p.m., with consumer pick-up from 3-4:30 p.m.
The new hub was announced at a member meeting at the Pioneer Museum in Emo on Nov. 14, during which it also was explained how the hub would operate, which is unique to this area.
Unlike other Cloverbelt hubs that go through the main one in Dryden to serve multiple communities, consumers here are able to order exclusively from Rainy River District producers.
Likewise, the producers are able to choose to sell exclusively to district consumers.
This eliminates the need for these products to be shipped all the way to the Dryden hub while allowing Emo customers to make a pick-up without having to travel to one of the already established hubs in Sioux Lookout, Kenora, Ignace, Upsala, or Dryden.
Producers and consumers still will have the option of selling to or ordering from other communities, but they will have to handle the transportation.
The latest Cloverbelt newsletter does note, however, that connecting Rainy River District with the rest of the distribution network remains a long-term goal.
A hub in Fort Frances also is being looked into.
But until then, the hub at Emo Feeds will be serviced entirely by Rainy River District producers. And when consumers choose the Emo option, the website will show them local products available only at that hub.
The hub in Emo will work on a monthly basis, with the next ordering cycle to take place Dec. 16-18, with pick-up set for Dec. 19.
This leaves plenty of time to sign up for a membership, which cost $25 for consumers and $50 for producers.
This one-time membership is required to view the producers and products online.
Memberships and payment for each week’s order can be made by sending an e-transfer through a bank or by cheque at the pick-up location.
For questions or more information, contact Anita Marcotte, the Rainy River District community co-ordinator, at clfc.rainyriverdistrict@gmail.com
In related news, Cloverbelt also is working on a regional food charter for the Kenora and Rainy River districts.
The food charter will be an overall vision or plan to guide policy and decision-making when local food systems are concerned.
An online survey containing 34 questions about local food is now available to be filled out that will help with the creation of this food charter.
Participants also will be entered into a draw for one of 10 available $50 Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op gift certificates.
The deadline to complete the survey is Dec. 15.
It can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Regionalfoodcharter, along with more information.
