Pruning is a necessary chore in orchards, with Ernie Fehr Jr. clearing away branches cut by his family.  |  Karen Morrison photo

Orchard satisfying despite challenges

Weather woes, wildlife damage | Winterkill, flooding and a late spring prove costly to U-pick operation

VANSCOY, Sask. — A desire to grow healthy food drives the Fehr family to overcome weather, wildlife and winter every year. “There’s been a share of challenges, but I enjoy the work,” said Ernie Fehr, who grows sour cherries, haskap and raspberries a short commute from Saskatoon at the Prairie Cherry Pit. “The reward is […] Read more

Food labelling review ‘a waste of resources’: consumer group

A Canadian Food Inspection Agency review of what local food means is an exercise in futility, says a consumer advocate. “It’s a waste of resources of the CFIA to be playing around with this,” said Mel Fruitman, vice-president of the Consumers’ Association of Canada. The CFIA announced it will seek input from consumers, industry and […] Read more

The food industry is increasingly asking for food safety systems to be in place.  |  File photo

An ounce of prevention lowers risk

Food safety regimes | Producers need to have processes in place to meet buyer demands

TORONTO — Adopting only minimal food safety regimes is a recipe for failure for fledgling food companies, says a food consultant. Paul Medeiros of the Guelph Food Technology Centre said some producers are looking to do just enough to meet the requirements and audits that many buyers demand. “You’re setting yourself up for failure. You’ve […] Read more


Colleen and Grant Dyck farm 14,000 acres near Niverville, Man. Colleen is now marketing Gorp, a preservative free energy bar.  |  Colleen Dyck photo

Man. farmer enters competitive health food market

Building a business | Entrepreneurs advised 
to combine healthy traits in products

TORONTO — When triathlete Colleen Dyck decided to make an energy bar, she found ingredients close to home on her Manitoba farm. “What I saw on the market was a lot of corn syrup and a lot of cheap fortified bars, so I decided to make my own,” said the Niverville entrepreneur, grain and oilseed […] Read more

Chef Bruno Elsier used cocoa butter to saute mushrooms from Ponderosa Mushrooms of Port Coquitlam, B.C., at the SIAL food show in Toronto.  |  Karen Morrison photo

Food sensitivities impact markets

‘Eat well’ attitude grows | More education needed to clarify what’s in everyday food

TORONTO — A growing number of people with food sensitivities is influencing marketplace choices, says a food and health marketing specialist. Isabelle Marquis, a director with XTC World Innovation, said 20 percent of the Canadian population claims to be allergic. “In reality, they may be intolerant, not allergic, but that still influences choices,” she said, […] Read more


Have your cake and eat the plate too

TORONTO — Diane Bisson has designed a spoon, a bowl and a plate that are good enough to eat. The Quebec industrial designer said the idea came from seeing the garbage bin heaped with disposable plates, napkins and cutlery in her son’s classroom when the children celebrated one another’s birthday. “I decided to look at […] Read more

Mila Maximets of Solberry in Manitoba was sampling her sea buckthorn purees at the SIAL food trade show in Toronto April 30-May 2.  |  Karen Morrison photo

Immigration brings new opportunities

Ethnic strategies needed | Canadian food markets poised to expand to cater to new populations and different palates

TORONTO — The changing face of Canada represents a $5 billion opportunity for enterprising producers. Bernice Cheung, ethnic practice lead for Nielsen Canada, said studies show one in three people in Canada will be a visible minority by 2031. She told the Salon international de l’alimentation (SIAL) food trade show here April 30 that the […] Read more

Nostalgia fuels couple’s antique business

Love of the hunt | Retired farmers’ passion for collecting is motivated by more than money

RADISSON, Sask. — Joyce and Wally Schultz sit at a quarter cut oak table, surrounded by glass cabinets bursting with patterned ceramic biscuit jars, delicate china tea cups and a wall adorned with seafood plates. “You have to be a bit of a hoarder,” Joyce said about antique collectors. “I have trouble throwing anything away.” […] Read more


Kaydon Koedyk helps clean barns on his family’s dairy farm near Marsden, Sask. Kaydon is one of six children adopted by Otto and Arianne Koedyk, who have been foster parents for 22 years.  |  Karen Morrison photo

Large family works together, plays together

MARSDEN, Sask. — Every child deserves a home, agree Arianne and Otto Koedyk. That’s why the couple decided to adopt six children that they had cared for during their 22 years of foster parenting and build a nine-bedroom house on their Saskatchewan dairy farm near the Alberta border. “It’s important for kids to have stability […] Read more

AgathaKardash grew up surrounded by a large family with plenty of chores to do.  |  Kardash family photo

Saskatchewan film pays tribute to family, pioneer life

Two Prairie Farmers | Izzy Avraham tells 
stories of farming, family and danger

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Three-year-old Tirzah Avraham is the reason her father, Izzy, created a visual tribute to the family’s farming roots. “I want my children to know these stories and feel that connection to Saskatchewan,” said the Prince Albert film producer. “It’s my tribute to my grandparents, one of those labours of love.” Avraham, […] Read more