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Bruce-Huron Produce Auction opens May 20 |
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An innovative wholesale source of local food - the Bruce-Huron Produce Auction - opens May 20. Organizers are excited that their efforts of the past year have been successful and are gearing up for this first sale of fresh produce. The wholesale auction starts at 3 p.m. and will feature the sale of locally-produced goods and produce. The auction house located at 733 Kairshea Ave., Holyrood, just north of Lucknow in a beautiful “green” building. The building design includes natural lighting and ventilation, and loading docks for a variety of vehicles. Everyone is welcome to attend the weekly (bi-weekly and tri-weekly) auctions. Any producer may sell at the auction based on minimum quantities and a 75-kilometre radius. Growers are required to register and follow the Bruce-Huron Produce Auction grower guidelines for safe production of farm fresh produce. Potential buyers could include grocers, neighbourhood stores, distributors, farm markets, chefs/restaurants, institutions, small-scale food processors and more. Organizers have hired Dave McCormick of McCormick’s Auction Service to provide professional auction services, and Enviro-eze Transport of Wallenstein has offered to provide a delivery/pick-up service to the area. Auction board member Elmer Brubacher said the goal is to increase family farm revenue by encouraging local farmers to diversify into higher-value crops such as seasonal fruit and produce. "Our regular wholesale market will provide a consistent sales outlet for local farms willing to invest in fruit and vegetable production and it will provide a steady supply of high-quality produce to retailers, restaurateurs and other end users”. Joan Brady, representative of the Huron Perth Farm to Table Network, is excited about what this will mean to the production and sale of local food in the region. "The public has been very supportive of farmers and will continue to support them with the purchase of local food. As part of the next step in developing a sustainable food system, the auction pools the production of many farmers to allow larger end users to purchase the volumes that they need. I think people will appreciate the opportunity to purchase more local food at various places in their neighbourhoods.” May 20, buyers may expect limited quantities of bedding plants, hanging baskets, early spring greens, tunnel tomatoes, potted tree seedlings and, if conditions permit; asparagus and rhubarb. The variety and quantity of product will increase as the season progresses. Bi-weekly auctions will begin Wednesday, June 6, and tri-weekly sales begin Monday, June 20. All sales will be held at 3 p.m. QUICK FACTS: What is the Bruce-Huron Produce Auction? The Auction is a marketing service to area producers and buyers of fresh produce. It is a live wholesale auction and features weekly sale dates (from one to three days dependent on produce availability). Produce is auctioned off at the facility at 733 Kairshea Ave., Holyrood, Ontario, N0G 2B0. Who owns/operates the Auction? This not-for-profit initiative is owned and operated by Mennonite farmers and governed by a five-member board. Service fees (currently 10% +HST) are set to cover operating costs of the auction.
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Who may sell at the Auction? Any producer may sell at the auction based on minimum quantities and a 75-kilometre radius. Product not meeting these criteria will be allowed only by special permission of the Auction board and only in cases of under-supply. All producers must register and meet the Auction grower guidelines for safe production of farm fresh produce. Who may buy at the Bruce-Huron Produce Auction? Anyone may register to be a buyer. Potential buyers could include grocers, neighbourhood stores, distributors, farm markets, chefs and restaurants, local institutions, small-scale food processors and the public who require larger quantities of fresh produce. Will I know who produced the produce and how it was grown? All growers are required to keep records of pesticide use and have a food safety program in use. The Auction has an internal traceability system to track all produce back to the field where it was grown and the date it was picked. Do I have to be on site to buy or sell at the Auction? No, a distribution service will be offered by Enviro-eze Transport. Arrangements can be made to pick up and deliver produce to the auction. An order buying and delivery service will also provided and regular routes will be determined as demand requires. Enviro-eze will ensure product quality of produce going to and from the Auction by careful transport in a refrigerated unit. Prices will be determined by volumes and distance travelled. In what quantities will the produce be sold? All produce will be sold in consistent units – 5/10 pounds, half-bushel, bushel, pallet/bin - depending on the nature of the products. Packaging containers will be provided for a cost by the Auction When
will the Auction be in operation in 2011? The
first day of operation will May 20. The Auction will expand to two
days/week and then three days/week as produce supplies increase.
Similarly sales/week will decrease in late fall when produce is less
plentiful. More general information may be available from HPFTT – huronperthfarmtotable,ca or 1-888-537-3163. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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