New local food rules won't alter Fredericton business

A Fredericton retailer says the Canadian Food Inspection Agencys decision to update the definition of local food to include anything sold within the province in which it's grown will not change his business.

The agencys interim decision toextend the term local food from anything grown with 50 kilometres, a standard it had in place since 1974, to the entire province was announced this month.

Levi Lawrence owns Real Food Connections and estimates 95 per cent of what he sellsisgrown or producedin southern New Brunswick.

Lawrence said he takes pride in knowing where every cheese product or fresh vegetable on his stores shelves originates.

He even posts a map in his store to show customers where every wholesaler is located in the province.

Lawrence said broadening the definition of the term local will not alter how his business operates or buys products.

"I buy local first so I dont buy a less expensive good from Nova Scotia thats grown in New Brunswick," he said.

"I stay true to seasons and once I follow all the rules everything else fall into place. I dont need to advertise that I'm local."

Lawrence points out some products are not always made in New Brunswick. He said he purchases a tofu made in Nova Scotia, that uses certified organic soy beans from Prince Edward Island.

Lawrence said there are no similar products in New Brunswick, so he believes that is the most local and sustainable tofu made in the area.

Real Food Connections lists its 37 suppliers on its website, including the owner, product and location.

Lawrence said he built his business based on three core principles: accountability, traceability and transparency. He said he guarantees the name of the producer, region and method of growing.

Lawrence said those three factors offer shoppers important information when they are buying their food.

Supermarket chains, such as Loblaws, wouldnt comment directly on the CFIAs new interim policy on Tuesday but stated in an email the company is committed to buying Canadian first.

Growing the business

Meanwhile, the Fredericton store is trying to grow its own operations so it can offer local food options to more people and businesses across the province.

Real Food Connections is a grocery store, but it also offers a delivery program to customers in the Moncton area.

Lawrence has also launched a crowdfunding initiative in the hopes of raising $20,000 so the business can expand its equipment and qualify for a higher health licence so it can sell wholesale to other businesses.

Lawrence said people in New Brunswick tend to want to purchase local food for three reasons. He said it keeps money in the province, they appreciate the higher quality that comes from smaller scale producers and it ensures accountability and food safety.

"Local food trumps everything else," he said.