SUDBURY -- Consumers looking for those farm fresh products don't have to look any further than their fingertips thanks to an innovation from researchers, including those at College Boreal.
They're in the midst of a fully-funded one year research program that's studying locally sourced food products across the region.
They've determined the sector has seen a positive impact during the COVID-19 pandemic given that demand for local products has grown.
"We got together with these other organizations that had similar interests and noticed there was an uptick in consumer interest for local food," said Robin Craig, director of research and innovation at Boreal.
"We've seen it change every day and every week with this pandemic and it's unprecedented times so I think at the beginning people were thinking about those questions like what's going to be available to me but speaking for Sudbury at least I think there's always been a strong interest in supporting local agriculture," she added.
Researchers will work with producers to understand the issues brought about by the crisis and to apply new practices in hopes of providing them support.
In the second phase, they'll focus on developing recommendations and marketing strategies for agri-food businesses to ensure they remain sustainable and durable after the pandemic is over.
Stuart McColl of McGrows' Farms and Gardens says he approves of the push to support farmers across the region.
He's noticed the increase in demand. McColl's already got a wait list of 75 dozen eggs. He says farmers have needs that he'd like to see addressed.
"You know if we could have an injection of cold hard cash that would be amazing, not even just for me but all the small local farmers that are struggling right now," he said.
The researchers have already come up with an interactive map, which is being hosted by the University of Guelph. You can click this link to see their work.
Over the coming weeks they hope to release additional initiatives.
