Local producers set up shop virtually on new marketplace site

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The Equity

EMILY HSUEH

MRC PONTIAC

March 31, 2021

While the global pandemic persists and prevents in person events, the MRC Pontiac has launched a virtual marketplace to make sure local producers have a way to sell their goods.

Thanks to a grant of $68,000 from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and contributions from the SADC, the MRC was able to . . .

build Flavours of the Pontiac, a website where visitors can find a selection of local producers and purchase their goods.

The online marketplace was not originally in the proposal. The original plan contained several elements, including a physical agricultural market which still remains part of the project.

“We realized last summer that our local producers weren’t able to reach their usual markets and with the ongoing uncertainty, we really saw a need to help connect our local producers with their customers in a way that was relevant to our area,” said Cyndy Phillips, director of economic development for the MRC. “We already had a regional agricultural project underway until we really decided to adjust the project in a way that would benefit our farmers.”

The MRC put out a call to businesses and got a response from 10 of them to be included in the launch of the new virtual campaign.

Since the website launched, they have received numerous calls from producers looking to jump on board.

Those who sign up will be able to create an online store for their products on a farming e-commerce platform called Local Line. They can then promote their products through Flavours of the Pontiac. They will be assisted by the MRC and SADC in developing their markets, and their first year subscription to Local Line will be covered.

“There is a very deep historical relationship between the land and the farmers of our territory, this project will give us the basis to expand on this relationship even further,” said Chakib Ahmimed, economic development officer at the MRC and head of the project, in a press release.

Local producers who are interested in joining the campaign can visit flavoursofthepontiac.ca or contact Ahmimed at

c.ahmimed@mrcpontiac.qc.ca.

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