Nova Scotia launches 10% discount on local produce initiative

Nova Scotia introduces a pilot program in Port Williams offering a 10% discount on local produce through farm shares to support farmers and consumers

New Provincial Pilot Program Offers Discounts on Local Produce

An Annapolis Valley farmer is excited about a new provincial pilot program. This program will help lessen the cost of local produce for some Nova Scotians.

The Department of Growth and Development announced on Thursday that participants can receive a 10 percent discount on fresh, locally grown food. This discount is available through the Nova Scotia Loyal program.

“It’s just like a total win-win for both us and consumers as far as I can tell,” said Josh Oulton, owner of Taproot Farms in Port Williams, N.S.

Details of the Discount Program

The discount will apply to community-based agriculture subscriptions, also known as farm shares. People pay upfront for a share of a farm’s harvest.

Subscribers receive a delivery of various amounts of produce, including vegetables, fruit, eggs, and meat. Participating farms that provide the 10 percent discount are reimbursed by Nova Scotia Loyal.

“It’s a really good system, that way it gives you some sort of security,” said Oulton. He helped create the new discount program. His farm offers farm shares, and he suggested to the province and the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture that an initiative should be made to promote community-based agriculture programs.

Impact on Farmers and Consumers

Oulton hopes the new program helps more people understand community-based agriculture. He believes it provides a consistent revenue stream to farms and regular access to local foods for consumers.

The Department of Growth and Development is budgeting $200,000 for the program.

Tawny Stowe, a blueberry farmer in Oxford, N.S., thinks the program will benefit both farmers and consumers. “I think the end user, the customer, is going to feel a great benefit from feeling like they’re getting a discount off of their vegetables for an entire fresh season,” said Stowe.

“Is it going to mitigate last year’s problems? No, definitely not. But the more people investing in our local food system, the better.”

Challenges Faced by Farmers

Stowe was impacted by the unprecedented drought last summer. She lost an entire crop of blueberries and the income they would have generated.

Stowe does not qualify for the program because she only harvests blueberries. The model is not typically designed for one crop.

While she commends the initiatives from Nova Scotia Loyal, she hopes for more support after last year’s losses. “It’s unfortunate that that’s not going to really support the blueberry market, but maybe it opens up more conversations,” said Stowe. “What programs could we create? And I don’t have all the answers, but maybe we can do it together.”