Delivery Dates

The Niagara Local Food Cooperative will be governed by core values of land stewardship, social empowerment, and economic sustainability.

The Niagara Local Food Co-operative is an innovative marketing and distribution system for local farmers, agricultural producers, and consumers.

Essentially we are a virtual farmer's market. Instead of driving to the market on specific days, or driving from farm to farm, you can order online at your convenience. Every second week, beginning with November 4, 2008, you can pick up the foods you selected in one convenient location.

By definition, a co-op is owned by its members. As a member of our food co-op, you will participate in the creation of a local food system produced within a 100 mile radius. As a consumer, you will know exactly who produces the food, where it is grown or raised, and what production practices the farmer uses. You will also have the ability to order from a specific producer. As a farmer, grower or producer, you will be connected with consumers who value quality products, healthy local economies, and acknowledge a fair income for your work.

The co-op brings the agricultural producers and consumers together in a virtual farmers' market. Simply, each month is divided into two "shop & pick-up" periods. Each period consists of a week to place your order on line and the produce is ready for pick-up the following week.

More specifically, at the beginning of each period the producer members post all the products they will have available. Members then have one week to fill their virtual shopping cart with fresh produce. Once the member submits their online order each producer will be notified and the items will be reserved. To expedite and simplify the payment procedure orders are paid using paypal.

Distribution day starts with the farmers and producers bringing the reserved orders to Trinity United Church on Pine Street in Thorold. We are pleased to partner with them for our distribution and pickup site. It is located just off the 406 in Thorold. Directions will be forthcoming. In the coming months satelite pickup sites will be added once the locations of higher consumer participation are determined.

The co-operative sells shares to both consumer members and producer members. This buys the applicant one share in the co-op which, just like a credit union, makes you part owner of the coop. Consumer members pay $50 and Producer members pay $100 to buy a lifetime membership share in the co-op. "Producer" members include farmers who grow the produce as well as creative members who prepare food products using locally grown produce (in certified approved facitlities). Essentially producer members can buy and sell through the co-op, while the "consumer" member is limited to making purchases. Each household can own one share.

Additionally, the co-op charges producers 10% for selling through the co-op, and customers will pay 5% for buying through the co-op. This money will be used to pay for operating expenses. The membership fee revenue will pay for capital expenditures.

Good for Consumers
Local food is fresher, better tasting, and more nutritious than imported food. Purchasing locally grown and produced food creates more prosperity, food security, and a higher quality of life.

Good for Our Farmers and Producers
The co-operative is an economic development mechanism to include employment, income creation, and fiscal improvement. In addition, the co-operative has the capacity to increase social and psychological empowerment of farmers and agricultural producers by facilitating and encouraging value-added agriculture.

Good for Our Community
Money remains in the community to support the local economy, create new employment and business opportunities. The co-op builds direct relationships among consumers, producers and neighbours.

Good for Our Planet
Purchasing local foods and products supports sustainable and humane farming. Buying local reduces transportation, packaging, and storage needs, nullifying the transportation networks of imported foods to lessen fossil fuel consumption, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The bounty of the land will be available. This currently includes, but is not limited to, local vegetables, fruit, meats, home cured proscuitto, honey, nuts, artisan breads, and vinifera flour. All products will be grown or produced by our coop members. We are currently accepting applications for Producer Members to sell their products with us.

Our Current Producers Include:

• Aceto Niagara
• Agri-Linx
• Bee Baron Honey
• Bizjak Farms
• Black Bow Farms
• Blueberry Lane
• Busimex Trading
• Canaan Farm
• Creek Shore Farms
• Crown Bench Estates Winery
• de la terre cafe and bakery
• Earthlings
• Fenwood Farms
• Greenview Farms
• Grimo Nut Nursery
• Harvey's Honey
• Italian Bakery ~ Pure Cake Design
• Lake Land Meats and Farm Market
• Lincoln Line Orchards
• Mathias Farms
• Niagara Food Specialties
• Orshinsky Family Farm
• Puddicombe Estate
• Rosedene Acres
• Serendipity Farm
• The Organic General Store
• thimbleberry farm
• Upper Canada Cheese
• Vinifera For Life
• Warner's Farm
• What A Teas!
• White Meadows Farms
• Zeta Organic Farms

If you are interested in buying fresh local food, then we are looking for you! Please click the image to print a copy and send it in with your cheque today. Please print clearly. Please note that it takes several days for a membership to be activated once it is received so don't wait until the last minute.

For faster processing mail your completed application and cheque (made to Niagara Local Food Coop) to Linda who is one of the Treasurers: Linda Grimo, 1-7001 Casey St, Niagara Falls, On L2J 3G6.