Manitoba could be growing more vegetables, according to a director of Peak of the Market.
“We need a lot of stuff,” said Wayne Rempel, speaking at the Manitoba Organic Alliance annual meeting on April 4.
As well as his position with Peak of the Market, Rempel is president and CEO of Kroeker Farms.
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Peak of the Market, formerly a regulated marketing board, has been a private enterprise since early 2022.
It now imports two or three loads of carrots a week from Ontario or Quebec because the local supply has run out, Rempel said. It also imports onions from California and Washington to cover demand during spring and summer.
Big grocery chains want consistent supply, Rempel said. If Peak of the Market can supply produce year-round, it doesn’t have to regain grocers’ attention after harvest in the fall.
Some vegetables can be challenging to store from fall harvest until spring or summer. However, there are opportunities for Manitoba farms to supply more carrots and onions, both conventional and organic, according to Rempel.
Peak of the Market is looking for everything from asparagus to zucchini. There’s also huge demand for local garlic. Asian vegetables like bok choy are in demand, he added. Some bok choy is grown in Manitoba and has performed well.
“It’s pretty easy to grow,” Rempel said.
Some vegetables, like asparagus, would be relatively easy to grow organically, in Rempel’s view, and squash or zucchini could be relatively easy to add because they require less equipment and can be harvested by hand.
Peak of the Market has a system for contract production and requires producers to adhere to its food safety program. It also requires a “significant” supply of vegetables. Producers must be able to wash and package vegetables on-farm.
The business has an agronomist who can help producers begin growing vegetables. Rempel said other producers are also often willing to share information.
