Charity organizations are helping out, as well. The not-for-profit Growing North constructed a greenhouse in Naujaat, Nunavut in 2015, where enough vegetables are produced to feed half of the 1,000-person community every day. The organization has plans to build two more greenhouses in a second Nunavut community.
Onward and Upward
There is no question that Western Canada produce businesses face a number of obstacles—from extremely harsh winter weather to remote locations to clientele. Despite these challenges, the West’s produce trade continues to innovate and thrive.
While Karwacki doesn’t think anyone expects Western Canada to “explode in population growth” he believes businesses do need to “get better on the production side at reaching out to the world. There’s an opportunity for producers with great tasting items to look outwards to bigger population bases and send their products there. With a little ingenuity, producers can build their reach beyond just the small population base of Western Canada.”
Hinchey reflects much of the same optimism, adding, “The future looks bright as Western Canadians work together to improve alliances and incorporate the new ways of doing business with the old.”
Images: 06photo, Albert Pego/Shutterstock.com
