Manitoba-based Peak of the Market has opened a Calgary, AB, distribution center. The 24,000-square-foot facility was designed to handle the company’s Manitoba product. Half of the facility is being used for storage and re-grading, and the remainder is available on a fee-for-service basis for storage and cross docking.

“It’s our first time with a location in Alberta, and it’s a significant investment in growing our business and that of our growers,” said Larry McIntosh, president and chief executive officer.

Mr. McIntosh is very involved in the produce industry, serving on both the Produce Marketing Association and Canadian Produce Marketing Association boards. “Membership growth is good for both organizations, and it’s exciting to see such positive results. There’s a lot of good work being done,” said Mr. McIntosh.

Larry and Shelley McIntosh of Peak of the Market. The Manitoba-based company has opened a 24,000-square-foot distribution center in Calgary.Peak of the Market is also involved in the Farm to School Healthy Choice Fundraiser. This is the third year for the fundraiser, which sees students at participating schools and daycares selling bags of Peak of the Market vegetables. Available in two sizes, $10 and $20 bags, half of the proceeds remain with the school or daycare and the other half go back to Manitoba farmers.

The $10 bundle includes five pounds of red potatoes, three pounds of carrots and three pounds of cooking onions in a Farm to School reusable shopping bag.

The $20 bundle has additional potatoes, carrots and onions as well as one pound of parsnips and a head of green cabbage. Consumers are also directed to the website peakmarket.com, where there are over 4,000 delicious recipes to test out.

Since the campaign began, there has been a significant hike in parsnip recipe searched.

“It began when we met with Jim Rondeau [minister of healthy living, seniors and consumer affairs]. We wanted to get more fruits and vegetables into diets and thought, ‘What if we ran a program and committed to delivering to any school in Manitoba?’“ said Mr. McIntosh.

“We know that when children develop healthy eating habits early, they are more likely to stay healthy and active throughout their lives,” Minister Rondeau said in a press release.

“This program is an excellent opportunity that benefits Manitoba children, their daycares and schools, and the vegetable growers in our province,” said Ron Kostyshyn, minister of agriculture, food and rural initiatives. “Through this program, selling locally produced vegetables puts healthy Manitoba food on family tables, raises funds for the participating schools and supports our farmers.”

There are a lot of locations in Manitoba where freight is expensive, and the program has committed to getting the produce to these remote locations, which can mean by truck, plane and even snowmobile.

“The growers are paying for the transportation and the Manitoba Association of Home Economists are coordinating the program. It’s an expensive undertaking, but we’re very proud of it,” said Mr. McIntosh.

When asked how the potatoes are received, Mr. McIntosh said, “Every year we try new varieties of potatoes — about 40 every year. We’re looking for good-tasting and good-looking potatoes.”

Peak of the Market’s number one seller is its 10-pound bag of potatoes, closely followed by 15- and 20-pound bags.

“Our customers are coming to the website to search for more recipes than ever before,” Mr. McIntosh said. “There is a let’s-get-back-to-basics movement — a desire for more family-friendly foods.”