• Welcome
  

Organic Food Production in Winnipeg

• Introduction
  
  
• Why Choose Organic?
  
  
• Certified Organic?
  
  
• Case Study: eat it.ca
  
  
• Organic Producers
  

• References
  

Case Study: Eat it.ca and Fresh Option

Currently, there are two organic food organizations that will deliver organic goods to the homes of Winnipeg residents: Eat it.ca and Fresh Option. Both offer between 300 and 500 different organic options, including bread, produce, meats, and snacks. There are no meeting or membership fees, and customers are not required to share food-handling responsibilities. Both Eat It and Fresh Option are one stop shops ? simply log on, browse and select groceries and pick them up (or have them delivered for a nominal fee).

Fresh Option takes a holistic approach to the provision of organic food. Their vision is to "provide eaters in Winnipeg with a new alternative for accessing food and to thus strengthen Manitoba 's organic market through cooperation with local producers. (They) are driven by a philosophy of sustainable environmental practices, community stewardship and socially conscious action. (They) value (their) own livelihoods and those of others, as important foundations for balanced lives and communities, and strive to create a workplace that will contribute to the happiness, success and health of (their) family, future employees, customers and vendors"(7). 

As their client base increases, food options will increase accordingly for both vendors. The owner of Eat it, Sabrina Longobardi, suggests that people like to see and feel the food they are purchasing before they buy it. As such, internet food sales are a challenge. However, Longobardi strongly feels this obstacle can be overcome by providing customers with affordable products and a consumer friendly shopping experience. People may be apprehensive to buy organic as they think the cost may be prohibitive, however this problem is resolved because Longobardi buys only what is needed for that particular order which eliminates the need for a large stock and warehousing. Both Eat it and Fresh Option are convenient and economical ways to shop for organics products.

The knowledge of the organic food industry is growing slowly in Winnipeg, and Eat It endeavors to increase this interest and awareness by offering products at affordable prices. Eat It supports local Winnipeg businesses and farmers by offering their products, as well as those of local Canadian organic growers. The ultimate goal of Eat it is to increase their client base in order to make Eat It.ca a one stop organic shop. For Fresh Option, their goal is to create a thriving network of organic consumers who are proud to support their neighbors, small farm economy and holistic business practices. Further, they hope to establish a long-lasting and stable venture in which education and awareness play prominent roles.

To contact Sabrina Longobardi of Eat it, email her at geotronics@eatit.ca or visit her website www.eatit.ca.

To contact Fresh Option, call them at (204) 772-1479 or email email@freshoption.ca or visit their website www.freshoption.ca