Serving the cause
Chef helps Cape Breton Farmers’ Market raise money with weekly meals
SYDNEY — The Cape Breton Farmers’ Market has found a delicious way to raise some money while it remains closed due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Meals created by chef Donald MacInnis, owner of Copper and Fire Catering, are being sold once a week through social distancing takeout.
The meals are sold on Mondays but due to the holiday, this week’s meal is taking place today.
Steve Smith, chair of the board of directors for the market, said it’s a one-menu listing that you call and order then pay for it online. Customers can then just drive by the market at 15 Falmouth St. in Sydney from 4:30-6 p.m. to pick it up. There will also be no-contact debit and credit at the door.
“At this time it’s still a fundraiser but we’re trying to make it a reoccurring thing as we need the income,” Smith said.
The meal today includes either Atlantic seafood chowder for $12 or vegetable bisque soup for $10. Both come with homemade biscuits. Anyone wishing to order can message the farmers market on Facebook, email cbfarmersmarket@bellaliant.com, or phone the market at 902-564-9948 and leave a message.
IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN
Although the market is considered an essential business, Smith said with the public health restrictions it would be impossible to open. In the meantime many vendors still pay their monthly fees in an attempt to keep funds in place for the market. However, the closure is hurting the market and vendors who rely on it to sell their products.
“It’s definitely been a challenge for us.”
Pauline Singer, manager of the farmers market, said these meals are helping them pay their rent and other operating costs during the shutdown.
“Unfortunately, we do not qualify for the (Canada Emergency Business Account) that is being offered because our payroll does not meet the $20,000 threshold that is required,” she said. “To date, we have only qualified for the one-time payment from the province that allowed us to receive about $1,700.”
HELPING VENDORS
In the meantime, the market is doing all they can to help its 50 vendors.
“We’re trying to use as much produce and products from our vendors for the meals that we can get,” Singer said.
The seafood for today's meals is from Gillis Seafood and the vegetables are from Eyking's.
May 11 was the first day for the hot meal, which included seafood Newburg with steamed broccoli and white rice pilaf or a vegetarian option, charred cauliflower and coconut curry with spring vegetables and rice. All 75 sold out.
“I think it was very successful,” MacInnis said. “It sold out, you can't ask for more than that.”
MacInnis is also helping the market fundraise by offering heat-and-serve meals on the Pan Cape Breton Food Hub Co-op website.
‘REALLY EXCITING’
When the market reopens, MacInnis will become the market's chef and will be provide different services including demonstrations.
“Pauline contacted me and we did a tour of the building,” he said, adding they've been talking about various plans for a year now.
"It's such a beautiful building, a great design on Pauline's part,” he said. “We want to get the most out of it that we can.”
MacInnis said there talk about possibly organizing stand-up receptions, jazz nights or ceilidh sessions, and even bringing cruise ship passengers to learn about their farms and markets.
“There's all kinds of little subplans and ideas we're working on,” he said. “It's really exciting.”
In the meantime, the Cape Breton Farmers' Market has partnered with the Pan Cape Breton Food Hub Co-op to ensure their farm vendors can keep selling while the COVID-19 measures are in place.
Singer said these times during the COVID-19 are not only affecting the market but all the businesses that fall under them through the food hub which is operating out of the market. The market has become the main distribution centre for the food hub.
For updates on vendors involved and how to order, visit the Pan Cape Breton Food Hub Co-op website at www. capebretonfoodhub.com.
Orders can be placed from Fridays until Mondays. On Thursdays, deliveries are made from 4-7 p.m. Information can also be found on the Cape Breton Farmers' Market Facebook page or website www.capebretonfarmersmarket.com.