If you like to buy local food, there is a tasty and healthy treat on the shelves of a popular grocery chain in Northern Ontario.
Four different kinds of berries, grown on a farm in Markstay-Warren, east of Sudbury, are now available at Metro grocery stores.
The Boreal Berry Farm planted its first berry plants 7 years ago.
It started with haskap berries and now grows a total of four types of ‘boreal berries.’
Greg Melien owns the Boreal Berry Farm.
“We have the haskap and the aronia, they are known for their anti-oxidant value. Of course everyone is looking for that these days. The Saskatoon berries are really high in vitamins and minerals. There have been studies that show it can actually control blood sugar levels.” said Melien.
There is also the sea-buckthorn, which is a citrus tasting berry, grown on the farm.
“It's a perfect balance of all the omega fatty acids. There is 3, 6, 7, and 9.” said Melien.
The farm recently signed a deal to supply its frozen boreal berries to 18 different Metro’s in Northern Ontario.
Steve Salonin is the Mayor of Markstay-Warren.
“In this area, farming is expanding. We are getting more and more farmers. It's proving that we can make a success. Small operators can make it into the big stores.” said Salonin.
John Vanthof is the MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane.
“We think of pioneers 100 years ago, they are pioneers at growing boreal berries in Northern Ontario.” said Vanthof.
“It's a high value crop that we can grow in Northern Ontario and I think that is what is attracting a lot of farmers around here to it.” said Melien.
He believes with the trend toward consumers buying local, organic, and healthy, there is a bright future for the sale of boreal berries.
