While farmer's markets are always a hit across our region, some northern Ontario farmers are also using the internet to sell locally-produced food.
Dalew Farms sells its products online and when owners Dave and Chantal Lewington saw the hit local farmers took with the closure of Eat Local Sudbury, they decided to join forces.
"We got together. Started doing discussions as a group to try and figure out what we could do to make up for that gap, that closure, and also to make it convenient for our customers, because they were used to being able to buy a lot of local products all at the same place" said Chantal.
In July, Click Fork was launched.
It’s a website where consumers can order products from four local farms.
"Grass-fed beef and lamb and we also carry some local honey. Organic chicken and produce. Organic oats and other flours. Pastured pork, GMO-free, drug-free.” said Chantal.
So far, the online option seems to be benefiting customers and businesses.
"It's very easy to use. You just go on the website. There’s a list of products, you click what you want. And then there's delivery options for North Bay, Sudbury and Cache Bay." said Andree-Michelle D'aoust-Messier, a Click Fork customer.
"I think the word is definitely spreading and so it's definitely picking up. We've gotten to a point where we’re really having to re-jig how we organize the orders, because last order our truck was totally full. So, that's a good problem." said Peggy Baillie of Three Forks Farm.
Deliveries are offered on a bi-weekly basis and are dropped off to customers at the markets in North Bay and Sudbury.
Click Fork hopes to be making weekly deliveries next year.
