The demand on Vancouver Island for locally-grown food continues to rise — but the challenge now is getting that food to the people who want it

A new web-based farmers market has launched in Waterloo and Guelph (Ontario), hoping to connect busy shoppers with a taste for local produce and small-scale farms, reports the CBC. The individuals behind the project point out that it’s convenient for both local food producers (no need to sit at Farmers Market booths when they need to be in the field) and shoppers (no need to line up early to get the food items desired).

Getting the product to the customer

One of the biggest challenges being reported by local food producers near Nanaimo is getting their product to the consumer. Any grocery store customer knows that produce from California and far-flung locations is available in-store. Locally-sourced produce is slowly finding a place in big stores, but for most people who are interested in knowing exactly where their food is from, who has grown their food, and who is receiving payment for that food, local Farmers Markets have been the only option.

Emphasis on branding

The owners of Broken Ladder Cider in Kelowna, B.C., and others have emphasized their unique branding. “Marketing has undergone a huge shift as consumers demand traceability for the products they buy and eat,” Chris Pollock, marketing manager for BC Tree Fruits, told the Financial Post. “As a result, producers themselves have become a powerful branding force.”

Farmship Growers Cooperative on Vancouver Island

The Farmship Growers Cooperative south of Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, is promoting “community-supported agriculture” with its bounty and harvest box sales. Customers can pay in advance to receive weekly deliveries of fresh foods — or choose to pick up their food at a convenient location. The spring season extended from May 1 to June 12 (7 weeks), the summer season runs June 19 to September 11 (13 weeks), and the fall season runs from September 18 to December 11 (13 weeks). More information here [opens to PDF].

Nanaimo farmer Chris Brown (centre) at Bowen Road Farmers Market with Farmship partner Isabelle (left) and Isobel’s son Ben (right)

We speak with Christopher Brown (aka Farmer Brown), a partner in Farmship Growers Cooperative.

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audio | interview with Chris "Farmer" Brown about community-supported agriculture #Nanaimo http://t.co/9I09TxZPM8 pic.twitter.com/5WvRyzkjPp

— People First Radio (@peoplefirstrad) July 2, 2015