Whether it is to encourage the local economy or to save some money, more and more people are joining the network of family farmers.
There are more than 150 market gardeners who feed more than 30,000 households in Quebec, but the farmers still hope to expand their clientele.
“We have greatly increased the sale of our baskets,” says Olivier Lamoureux, founding member of the Coop Les jardins de la resistance.
He believes that his coop will sell 350 baskets of vegetables per week this summer, because he senses a craze for local agriculture.
Moreover, half a million baskets will be sold by the network of family farmers this year.
However, Mr. Lamoureux hopes that interest will continue to grow.
“We would very much like people to adopt the formula and take an interest in it,” explains Mr. Lamoureux.
Among the advantages is the price. The basket of vegetables retails for $35, which represents a saving compared to the price in a supermarket.
“Inflation has increased enormously, but for fruits and vegetables in the grocery store, it has increased even more,” said Mr. Lamoureux. “All the people who had organic baskets last year did not suffer because of this inflation.”
