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The Calgary Farmers Market is a non-profit society which has a core group of owners and a facility in Calgary to serve the City and drive in traffic. It is a very successful model of cooperation for farmers, entrepreneurs and others who sell in the market. Some fothe key points include:
- 14 owners using Currie Barracks hanger- an approved market- "make it, bake it, grow it"
- 80 vendors and 200 people employed, very successful venture includes farmers
- Is a means to access urban markets by small vendors to a high end urban consumer market
- Pay per square rent- varies -monthly, 3-5 yr terms, Operates 3 days per week year round which is a market for those who participate.
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Sunfresh Farms is a vegetable marketer for a group of 8 growers in Lacombe Alberta. The growers have developed a jointly owned processing system and warehouse and marketing organization. It is a very interesting model for the future as it has joint Board of Directors with the marketing function. |
Carrmen Creek Foods, Calgary
Carmen Creek Gourmet Meats was started three years ago as a solution for ranchers Pieter Spinder (CEO Carmen Creek), Kelly Long (President Carmen Creek) and Dean Andres (Director of Sales and Marketing) to differentiate their products, and access highly competitive retail and food service markets in North America and Europe. Based on consumer and customer market research, an innovative marketing strategy, compelling merchandising tools and sheer hard work, Carmen Creek has earned retail and food service listings in Canada, the US and Europe. Each year, the company has increased sales incrementally and broadened its customer base to include major food retailers and foodservice brokers.
See www.carmencreek.com |
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For more than 40 years, Sunterra has been a leader in agri-business strategic thinking. Creators of one of the most innovative meat value chains in the world, Sunterra incorporates pork and beef production, processing, distribution and retailing through Sunterra Markets.
Sunterra exports over half of its pork production to Japan and ships other value-added products to export markets in Mexico and the US. Modeled after the fresh markets of Europe, Sunterra's 7 retail outlets in Calgary and Edmonton offer consumers a wide range of gourmet foods and catering services. Innovative on-line ordering through the Sunterra web site has created a whole new dimension of customer service.
see www.sunterragroup.com |
One of the New Gen Co-ops formed in Alberta is an elk co-op which has some interesting features:
- Has 160 members selling elk meat and products, since 2001
- AWAPCO members have to comply with criteria: All elk must be raised naturally, i.e., free of hormones , and on fresh open pastures.
- All elk must be fed with feed that does not contain protein supplements derived from rendered animals, and must be free of same upon delivery for processing.
- All withdrawal times for vaccinations, antibiotics (if necessary for therapeutic use only) are observed.
- Age verification certificates are provided prior to acceptance of elk for processing.
- Guaranteed only Alberta Ranched Elk (wapiti).
See www. wapitiriver.com |
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