2 companies step in to fill gap left by Real Food Connections closure

Two separate enterprises have stepped in to fill the gapin the local food industry left by the abrupt closure of Real Food Connections in Fredericton.

The local food retailer and distributor announced it was closing Nov. 30.

Really Local Harvest, a co-op of farmers in the the southeast region of the province, is teaming up with food service provider Cd'ici to sell food boxes like the ones Real Food Connectionsdistributed.

"There is no competition with Real Food Connection anymore, sadly, so we propose to offer the service of the box program to Fredericton too," said Patrick Henderson ofReally Local Harvest.

The two groups hope to help farmers who havelost out because of the Real Food Connectionsclosure.

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"It's very difficult for the small and medium farmers to sell their product. When we began four years ago we saw that there was a gap between the consumer and the producer, and if you or your family want to buy local food it's not easy," Henderson said.

Cd'ici and Really Local Harvest said the food box program will be operating in the new year.

Second company steps in

Another new local food company has also announced it's "taking up the torch" after the sudden failure of Real Food Connections.

The company calls itself Locavore Foods and names its owners as entrepreneurs and past supporters of Real Food Connections. They are Sean Dunbar of Picaroons Traditional Ales and Jason Lejeune, co-owner of the restaurants Isaac's Way and the Abbey Cafe.

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In a press release, the new company owners say they've come together to "retain the knowledge and kitchen facilities" of the former Real Food Connections grocery store.

Lejeune said after six years of building relationships, engaging customers, and making locally produced foods more accessible, the closure of Real Food Connections left an "unacceptable gap."

"The public, supplier and shareholder response has been overwhelming and we are determined to create some value out of this unfortunate situation," he said in the release.

Rehiring planned

The new company is set to begin operations in January.

The owners said they're still trying to determine what services the company will offer but their goal is to immediately supply an outlet for the suppliers left without a market for foods they had planned to sell to Real Food Connections.

The founders of Real Food Connections,Levi and Bev Lawrence, have accepted jobs at the new company, focusing on kitchen operations.

The company said it will try to rehire as many former employees as it can over the coming weeks.

The owners were not available for comment but said they will release more information over the holidays.

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