Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Bill Bradley
A worldwide trend, eating locally-produced food, has set down permanent roots downtown.
The Eat Local Sudbury Co-operative has moved permanently from its seasonal quarters at Market Square to a newly-renovated 1,200 square foot year-round store at 28 Durham Street, around the corner from Records on Wheels.
“The new location is more convenient for us. There is office space, so we are here more often,” said Allison Muckle, co-ordinator.
The store offers meats, cheeses, vegetables, honey, maple sugar and even body care products all sourced where possible within 150 miles. Other products such as Harmony Organic Dairy organic milk, oils, vinegar, peanut products are located from producers within the province.
“The organic milk is more expensive than local milk, but some people want to pay the $4.50 per litre cost. People say it does have a different taste,” said Muckle.
As a bonus, the milk comes in reusable glass bottles that can be returned to the Eat Local store.
Eat Local prefers to source organic produce, but will stock products that, while from sustainable farming operations, have not yet been certified organic.
“What we are doing to educate our customers about the farming practices is to do profiles of their operations. We will compile this in a book in the store for when people ask questions.”
Muckle said there has been an increase in foot traffic at the new location.
“Business has been better than expected. People have been coming in to buy our Christmas baskets of local food. They range from $10 to $75 depending on what goes into them.”
Memberships in the co-op has doubled in just two weeks.
“We now have 60 members. More have joined because they know we are open year round,” said Muckle.
Shoppers can walk in the store without purchasing a $15 annual membership for individuals or $25 per family. Memberships result in a four per cent discount on produce or goods plus voting rights at the annual general meeting in March.
Hours of operation (outside of holidays) are Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, phone 521-6717, or visit www.eatlocalsudbury.com.
