HomeMy WebLinkAboutLucknow Sentinel, 2009-03-18, Page 46•
Page 30 - Farm Progress, March 18, 2009
.,�....+a �y.'�"' ri.r. 's. w.tr6--moi .,� y•r • r.. ..�.:.�..����-.--�.
.,11...•.� r -.ter ♦ ♦.. r.. w ♦.b. ..�c s- Vv r.4
Forager Foods putting local ingredients on'the taste buds
BY CHERYL HEATH
Clinton News -Record Staff
Sam Gundy wants to do
the foraging for you.
And that new take on a
timeless idea has earned
the Bayfield -based entre-
preneur a nomination for
the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and
Rural Affairs' Agri -
Innovation Award.
The nomination means
Gundy could be present-
ed with an award that
includes a cash reward
ranging anywhere from
$5,000 to $150,000. But,
all of that is just icing on
the cake for the man who
is putting. the local back
into the neighbourhood
grocery store.
A quick tour of
Gundy's Forager Foods,
located in the newly cre-
ated plaza on Highway 21
in Bayfield, reveals a
sampling of the not
everyday fare made with
all local ingredients.
From the exotic, like shi-
itake asiago-stuffed
organic, chicken breast, to
the traditional macaroni
and cheese, to the
increasingly popular ' but-
ter chicken, Forager
Foods proves small stokes
can carry fare usually
•
• •
Photo by Cheryl Heade ..
Seen here is Sam Gundy owner of Forager Foods, it -
ed in the. -newly` created plaza on Highway. 21 in
Bayfield. He's 'showing a sample of everyd'y fare made
with all. Iotd ingredients.
only carried in urban cen-
tres.
Still, notes Gundy,
Forager Foods emphasis
is not on prepared meals,
rather it's about stocking
the shelves with fresh
produce, meats and
cheeses. that are ratsed
and gro*n by .regional
farmers.
Most of the meats hail
from Metzger Meats in
Hensall while other
items, like maple syrup,
are found at spots
throughout Huroi County
and beyond.
The items travelling the
farthest, notes Gundy, are
cheeses from Quebec,
though there are anum-
ber of varieties from
Huron and Bruce coun-
ties, too.
The ultimate goal?
One day Gundy would
like to see a new turn on
the old idea of ( the chain
store. In essence, each
region would have its
own Forager Foods site,
carrying mainly the
goods, meat and produce
of its home region.
The idea of focusing on
locally grown and pro-
duced goods and produce,
notes Gundy, has been a
long time coming.
"I noticed the trend
occurring two years ago
and it's just grown," he
says.
Gundy: says he has
heard positive reviews
from customers and, farm-
ers since first opening 8 the
�
doors of Forager` Foods in
the spring of 2008.
Indeed; farmers often
drop byhis store to show
Gundy their . produce or
introduce a value-added
or niche --market product.
He notes histwo-dozen
suppliers include an egg
fanner from Zurich and
fish caught . in Lake
Huron.
"I like to call them
partners because we real-
ly are all in this together,"
he says.
Popular books, like the
100 -Mile Diet, and the
growing trend towards
buying local are other
economic indicators that
Gundy is on the right
path.
"The goal is to create a
local economy and alter-
native location for pro-
duce and treats to getto
the consumer," he says.
"People appreciate that
it's all under one roof and
it's fresh."
Knowing where the
meat and produce comes
from, adds Gundy, also
gives consumers piece of
mind.
BLUEWATER
SANITATION INC.
PUMPING OFSEPTIC"
HOLDINo TANKS
ORGANIZINGA LARGE EVENT
OR JUST HAVING A PARTY...
CALL THE PROFESSIONALS!!
•PORTABLE TOILETS &TRAILERS
FOR CONSTRUCTION & SPECIAL EVENTS
RR#1 Tiverton, Ontario
Phone: 519-368-5529
Toll Free: . 1-888-805-6481
Ea& 519-368-7817
E-mail: bws bmts.com
•wwwy,bluewstersanitatlon.com
Don't get caught with Baur
pants down. Give us a call!
DISTRISi7T1NG
Clinton, Ontario
(519)482-7992
YOUR FASTENER SPECIALIST
It is time to get your shop ready for
spring! Ws service your Bolt Bins
and shop supplies.
"Call to set up an appointment"
PP
We carry Bolts Gr. 5 & Gr. 8, Stainless Steel, Metric,
Tapping/Drilling and Wood Screws,' Concrete Anchors,
Shop Supplies, Lubricants, Electrical Connectors, Socket
Cap.Screws
"AND MUCH MORE"
519x482-7992
Hwy #4 South, Clinton, On NOM 1 L0'
Fax us at 519-482-3636
comcoetcc.on.ca www.comcofasteners.com
Call us first! For SII your Nut & Bolt needs
1i
It
SNOBELEN FARMS
With Elevators in
•
Lucknow • Ripley • Dungannon
■ Seed Conditioner & Dealer
• Soybean Exports
• Licensed Grain Dealer
• Receive, Dry & Store
Soybeans, Com,. Wheat, Flax
Oats & Barley
www.snobelengroup.com
519.528.2092
qk
,$
PIO
..Mb