RANKIN INLET
Shoppers got a bit of a price break and a big increase of freshness during a Feb. 2 and 4 food market in Rankin Inlet.

Emilia Ramey, right, is all smiles after purchasing two bags of fresh produce from Tara Tootoo Fotheringham's food market in Rankin Inlet - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak

The market was held by Tara Tootoo Fotheringham and her company, the Arctic Buying Company.

Tootoo Fotheringham had hosted an organic food market at the Sugar Rush in Rankin a couple of years ago, which never really took off with local consumers.

She learned from the experience, however, and this time out the community hall was full of the type of products people knew and wanted.

"The organic food market was successful in that it brought a lot of attention to people coming to buy fresh products," said Tootoo Fotheringham.

"At that time, organic foods were generally a little higher in cost and people were telling me they wished I would do it with just regular stuff.

"That's what they're used to buying, so they were comparing pricing with regular items versus organic items.

"So, it's been an idea for quite some time, but getting it all together and setting a date to do it was, more or less, our challenge."

The Arctic Buying Company has been busy during the past year launching its website in November and developing new ways to create more awareness of its services.

Tootoo Fotheringham said that takes time, and it was just this month she felt comfortable offering a travelling food market.

She said the timing was right and the market was very well-attended in Rankin.

"We really didn't get the chance to advertise much because the weather was so questionable.

"I wasn't 100 per cent sure the produce would still be really fresh because we lost two flights to weather and another went mechanical.

"We had a few days of backlog, but everything arrived in great condition.

"We put the word out on Facebook and BBM and local radio helped, so we had a lot of people come through."

The company brought about 2,000 pounds of product and only 100 pounds went unsold at the end of the market.

The proceeds from the market also saw $1,000 donated to local minor hockey.

Tootoo Fotheringham said a few household items were on display but mostly the market was produce, meats, cereals, pasta, cake mixes, peanut butter and other items.

She said it was items most people wanted, but sometimes the prices are just a little too high.

"We're going to be doing another one at the end of this month. We're also looking at working with the food banks to see if there's any way we can, kind of, become their purchasing power in Manitoba.

"We really want to be that point of contact with Winnipeg distribution to do that.

"We have the warehouse space and want to do what we can to contribute."