The cupboards, or rather the wooden crates, were pretty well bare. The sell-out didn’t shake Patti Simpson, director, South West Health Food and Nutrition Services.
“There’s been an awful lot of enthusiasm and energy and informal conversations I’ve had with staff, so it’s no surprise,” she said.
“It’s not really a problem - to have this kind of success and sell out this early - it’s a true measure of success,” she added.
The hospital farmers’ market is a partnership between the Tri-County Local Food Network and South West Health, with the goal of providing a selection of locally, sustainably grown produce.
“It’s a pilot, so two weeks from today, at the next one, we will certainly up our order,” said Simpson who is estimating double or triple the amount.
Ten different produce items were sold: beans, carrots, new potatoes, mixed herbs, cherry tomatoes, green onions, beets, zucchini, summer squash and wild blueberries. There were 75 units of each item, almost all of which disappeared half an hour before the market officially opened.
Representatives from the Canadian Cancer Society were on hand to recommend cancer-fighting foods to shoppers and provide recipes.
The plan was for leftover produce to be used in cafeteria meals for staff.
“We won’t have the opportunity this week,” said Simpson.
“What surprised me a little bit is I saw three or four individuals with six or seven items where I initially thought people would stop by for one zucchini or one tomato.
It’s a pilot, so two weeks from today, at the next one, we will certainly up our order. - Patti Simpson, director, South West Health Food and Nutrition Services.
“I’m hearing the recipe cards were very popular. People could understand what they could do with the item and why it was good for them,” she said.
Close to 1,000 are employed at the Yarmouth Hospital including staff and physicians.
The market will be held again on Aug. 19, then Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Oct. 7 and Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Members of the public are welcome to stop by. Selection and prices at the market will vary with the season.
