ICYMI: Community gardens grow in popularity, promising signs for Prairie mustard farmers, and more

Here are five food stories you might have missed this week

If the constant barrage of staggering food prices has left you looking for more interesting Canadian news stories, worry not; we’ve rounded up a few that we think may pique your interest.

From the growing popularity of community gardens to promising signs for Prairie mustard farmers, to a burgeoning food and beverage community popping up in West Vancouver, here are five Canadian food stories you might have missed this week.

Promising signs for Prairie mustard farmers

Although it hasn’t really hit Canada as of yet, many countries—European countries in particular—have been facing a worldwide mustard shortage, due largely in part to a difficult season for Prairie provinces in 2021. 

The good news is that this year’s crop in Alberta and Saskatchewan appears to be in good condition, which mustard farmers say should ease the supply crunch before it affects Canadians. 

Find out more at CBC News.

PEI Food Exchange’s community gardening projects

It appears that rising food costs are causing many Canadians to turn away from the grocery store and toward home and community gardening. With over 200 community plots for rent at a nominal fee, the P.E.I. Food Exchange is a shining example of how community gardens can help increase food security. 

Find the full story at CTV News.

Ontario’s Milk Act shuts down ice cream business

An Ottawa ice cream shop that had been selling both wholesale and retail ice cream was in the news on more than one occasion this week after seeing its business abruptly shut down for violating Ontario’s Milk Act. 

The Act allows non-licensed businesses to sell directly to consumers, but not wholesale to other businesses. As it turns out, Merry Dairy was not the first ice cream company to fall victim to the $1,000-per-day fine, but dairy farmers and ice cream purveyors alike hope it will be the last. 

Visit CBC News for a full breakdown.

Beaumont’s Chartier implements “crisis prices”

Turning a profit in the food and beverage industry is hard enough on its own, but skyrocketing food and utility costs have put many restaurateurs in a precarious position. 

Even a restaurant as renowned as Beaumont’s award-winning Chartier has felt the sting of inflation, so as a means to ensure its sustainability, the restaurant recently implemented what the Chartier team refer to as “crisis prices”. 

Head to Global News to learn more.

West Vancouver’s burgeoning restaurant scene

West Vancouver has seen an encouraging abundance of interesting restaurant openings in recent months, which has given the often-overlooked community some welcome credit from the culinary world. 

So much so, in fact, that Vancouver Sun recently published a roundup on all the great new spots that have popped up over the past couple of months. 

Check it out at Vancouver Sun.