Businesses range from Sudbury's Nana's Kettle Corn to Warren's C.J. Pies 'n' More, Chelmsford's Agricultural Mineral Prospectors to Azilda's Best Bandages, a division of Magneto Therapy Pain Clinic.
“Participating in the Royal Winter Fair absolutely helps make my business bigger,” said David Harding, owner of Nana's Kettle Corn. The product uses authentic open kettles to heat oil to which certified organic corn and pure organic sugar is added much as it was done 200 years ago in the southern United States. He has developed a nutritious product that he sells locally to clients such as schools and supermarkets but also to venues across the province.
Last year he thought he would be present for only part of the 10 day agricultural fair.
“I got a call from the organizers asking if I could be there earlier. I agreed. It was great (exposure).”
A total of 40 agricultural and equine businesses and groups will be housed in the 6,000 square foot Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion, said Peter Williams, FedNor communications officer in a release. The event is the largest indoor agricultural exposition in Canada and attracts over 350,000 visitors each year. It continues to Nov. 15.
“This initiative clearly demonstrates this government's commitment to the businesses, organizations and communities of Northern Ontario,” stated the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for FedNor, in a release.
Participating Greater Sudbury entrepreneurs could even get a visit from the Royal couple, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla as they are expected to visit the Royal Winter Fair as part of the current Canadian tour.
Nana's Kettle Corn is a familiar sight in their booth outside Market Square every weekend. They also will be set up at three locations for the Santa Claus parade on Saturday Nov. 14.
“We will be set up at Market Square for the Santa Watch Party (from 2:20 to 5:30 pm), at the corner of Elgin and Larch streets and at the corner of Durham and Cedar streets. There will be hot apple cider, cotton candy and Kettle Corn at all three sites.” At this third location, proceeds will go to the TD bank Toy drive, said Harding.
Kettle Corn is a very nutritious product, according to Harding.
“We are gluten free, trans fat free, nut free and guilt free,” he said as he chuckled. “If you are on a diet, eating is not cheating.”
A 268 gram bag retails for $5, he said. For more information, visit www.nanaskettlecorn.ca.
CJ Pies 'n' More, has a booth at Market Square and product at Northern Flavours store at 106 Beech St, in the downtown. Owners Jerry and Colleen Burke-Pronk were looking forward to participating at the Royal Winter Fair. They produce a variety of baked items from butter tarts to pies.
“Our dough (we use) is homemade,” said Jerry. Because they make their product from scratch they know what is in their products.
“We can make products for people with allergies by leaving out or substituting what they are allergic too.” For more information, phone 967-3663 or the Northern Flavours store at 670-1001.
An Apple A Day, a Sudbury based business which produces dried apple chips in a variety of flavours and sizes will. General manager Matt Peredery said no sugar or preservatives are added. Every attempt is made to purchase the apples from Northern Ontario orchards.
An Apple A Day is also a regular vendor at Market Square and sells product at Eat Local Sudbury on Durham Street. For more information, phone 671-2217 or visit www.applechips.ca.
Other local businesses participating in the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion:
- Agricultural Mineral Prospectors (AMP)
- producers of organic mineral fertilizer and soil amendment products
- sourced from the Spanish River area
- 1-519-833-9827 or jslack@sentex.ca
- Best Bandages
- Azilda company offering wide range of attachable magnetic braces used as healing treatment for horses, small animals and humans
- available locally and exported to United States Germany and Ireland
- 983-9572 or sandy.best@thebestbandages.ca
- Boreal Harvest
- Wahnapitae organization promoting and providing information on agricultural events
- 694-4396 or noron.agrifood@sympatico.ca.
- Northwest Fudge Factory
- producer of fudge and other dairy based candy
- located in Levack with a retail outlet in Northwest Trading Post on Highway 17 West
- 966-9669 or northwestfudgefactory@hotmail.com.
- Northern Ontario Agri-Food Education & Marketing
- increases consumer awareness about northern products
- 694-2030 or pat.marcotte@sympatico.ca.
- Nurtural Horse
- Worthington makers and distributors of equine (horse) equipment
- offering a new bitless bridle that improves communication with the horse
- 866-2285 or zoe@nurturalhorse.com
- Sinfully Deelicious Confections
- Lively hand made brittles in different flavours and and formats
- 602-0505 or Sinfullydelicious@hotmail.com
- Surely Homemade
- Wahnapitae company producing homemade preserves, jams, pickles, chutney, savoury, salsas and jellies
- much of produce used is local
- 479-1316 or surelyhomemade@live.com
