Rows of black Mennonite horses and buggies outside the sprawling warehouse-type building in Elmira, Ont., are a sure sign that some type of activity related to farming is going on inside.
And once inside, a bountiful harvest is evident—with fresh cauliflower, pickling cucumbers, and sweet corn displayed on large pallets as auctioneer Brian Rintoul calls for bids from buyers.
The Elmira Produce Auction Co-operative is a locally-owned corporation established in 2004. It is owned and operated by members of the farming community and supports local growers by creating a new market for regional produce.
“It is modelled on similar co-ops in Pennsylvania which are run mainly by the Amish and Mennonites,” said auction manager Nelson Wideman.
“That is where the auctions originated and now they are in almost every state where there are Old Order Mennonites,” he added.
Currently, there are 50-70 growers of fruits, vegetables, bedding plants, herbs, and flowers who truck their produce to the auction, held two-three times a week depending on the season.
On any given auction day, lots can vary in size from half a bushel and full bushels to full field bins and pallets.
“Some of the growers are very small and others bigger, and here we have created an avenue for them to sell their produce. Much of it is high-quality,” said Wideman.
Many are buying for small institutions like rural nursing homes, roadside stands, vendor stalls at local farmers’ markets, or small stores.
Steve Martin is a buyer and a seller at the auction. He owns Martin’s Family Fruit Farm in nearby Waterloo, Ont.
When his main crop of apples has run out in the summer, he supplements them with such fruits as peaches, strawberries, blueberries, and pears from other growers so he can maintain his market stall at the St. Jacob’s Market near his home.
“When the auction opened here, we saw that it was a great opportunity to expand our line with some other local product,” he said. “And it has really paid off.
“Our customers are constantly commenting on how fresh the stuff is.”
Another proponent of the auction is Lee Ekus, director of food services at the University of Waterloo.
Last year he became involved with what he believes is the first farmers’ market established for students on any campus in Canada. And most of the produce is sourced from the Elmira Produce Co-operative, he says proudly.
“What I saw when I first visited the auction was incredible so far as the quality of product coming out of the fields in our community,” he noted.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
