NORDIK researchers have hit the streets to survey food businesses in Sault Ste. Marie on their habits to buy local food from farmers in Algoma. Dr. Nairne Cameron and David Thompson are coordinating the research project that will determine the preferences and capacities for food businesses to purchase local food and use GIS maps to spatially analyze their location.
The research process began when Edith Orr, manager of the Johnson Township Farmers’ Market, approached David Thompson and Nairne Cameron with an interest in examining the flow of local food into the Sault Ste. Marie marketplace. This research project aims to assist local farmers in coordinating their supply chain while identifying market opportunities and bottlenecks in the local food system.
David Thompson (NORDIK Institute) and Dr. Nairne Cameron from the Geography Department of Algoma University put together a team of researchers to administer the survey and map research results. The team consists of Katrina Holkko, an Algoma U (Community Economic and Social Development) student tasked with survey administration and Maddy Foggia, a Sault College GIS student tasked with mapping research results.
Support has been generated for the project from the Algoma Food Network and the local Mennonite community in Central Algoma. The Sault Ste. Marie Community Development Corporation has also put their support behind the project through the Local Initiatives Fund.
Any restaurants, food businesses or farmers that are interested in participating can contact David Thompson at (705) 949-2301 x3028 or thompsond@algomau.ca
This research project builds on NORDIK Institute’s previous work around food security and food sovereignty through the Algoma Sheep & Lamb Producers Association, Algoma Food Network, Penokean Hills Farms, and the Rural Agri-Food Innovation Network in partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre.