You’ve probably heard your friends or family talking about it. Support the Canadian economy. Buy local.
That’s easy to say, but much harder to do when it comes to buying food. Many of the locally sourced grocers in Ottawa are 30 minutes to an hour away from university and college campuses by bus.
However, during the pandemic, these local businesses have suffered, and they need support from their community in order to keep their doors open.
And really, you might be wondering why this matters all that much. After all, there are other options for buying food. But it’s not just the livelihoods of other people – the Canadian economy relies on small businesses to thrive. In 2015 – according to The Balance Small Business, which provides business statistics for Canadian businesses – there were 1.14 million small businesses across Canada, making up 97.9 per cent of all employer businesses. Medium-sized businesses made up 1.8 per cent and large businesses made up 0.3 per cent.
It can be argued that it falls on everyone to make sure the Canadian economy keeps going.
To make this easier for the average student, Glue has compiled a list of farms and locally sourced grocers in Ottawa that deliver directly to your home, so you don’t have to spend time on the bus or risk exposure during the pandemic.
Farmscore is a farm located in Beacon Hill, but you order ahead through their website. You may think that a farm would be limited to produce, dairy and meat, but they also have expanded their products to condiments, seafood and toiletries. The site indicates that they are working on a pet section and garden section.
However, there is a stipulation if you want delivery. You have to put in an order of at least $50 and delivery costs an extra five dollars. Delivery is only available on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., so be prepared to set aside a day from your weekend.
Ottawa Organics sells guaranteed organic food that can be delivered on a weekly basis, like a subscription, to your home. Their produce boxes are filled with fresh fruit and vegetables from over a dozen local Ottawa and Gatineau farms. Their website is easy to navigate and their prices are reasonable.
They deliver to neighbourhoods near the University of Ottawa and Carleton University on Thursdays and Saturdays. Neighbourhoods near Algonquin College receive delivery on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Located in the Byward Market, just a stone’s throw from the University of Ottawa, Planet Coffee used to be just another cute coffeehouse. Since the pandemic began, they have updated their website and are now in the business of selling and delivering groceries.
Their vegetables and fruits are locally sourced and their baked goods are made in-store. You can order staples off their website, from wheat and butter, to yeast, yogurt, seafood and pasta. This is one place you may not have looked at when you were starting your baking journeys last spring, but if you’re looking to get back into it as the winter sets in, it’s worth checking out.
In Ottawa, there are eight Kardish locations offering delivery and curbside pick-up. The Westgate location is about 30 minutes by bus from uOttawa, Carleton and Algonquin College. For those at Algonquin College, they can cut 10 minutes off a bus trip by going to the Merivale store.
Kardish is cost-friendly, with coupons and sales to help shoppers save on their groceries. The store offers a rewards program for frequent customers. You can access their flyer online, but there are no aisles to browse through, which means you’ll have to search for specific items.
Kardish delivers to homes within a 10km radius from their stores. Your order must be a minimum of $25 to receive delivery.
Located in Britannia Village, Rainbow Foods first opened its doors in 1978 with the main goal of providing healthier food options to the population. The store has just recently updated their website so you can order online and have your food delivered.
All of their products are available online to browse through and it is an easy-to-use website. There is no delivery fee but there is a minimum order of $25.00 to qualify for delivery. Deliveries are on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Located in Vanier, Jacobsons is a 20-minute bus ride from the University of Ottawa and has everything you want to make dinners easy, including premade soups and salads, frozen foods and ethnic dishes.
A read through their website will tell you everything you need to know about each product before you add it to your cart. Jacobsons delivers both in Ottawa and Canada-wide.
For those attending Algonquin College from the Perth Campus who feel like they deserve a treat, the Perth Cheese Shop has a wide range of products worth browsing through on their website. Most proudly on their front page are the Seed to Sausage salami, which is made in Kingston; Back Forty, which is a selection of artisanal cheeses from rural Ontario; and Hummingbird Chocolate, which is made in Almonte, Ont.
There is something for everyone, from frozen foods to wine and cheese pairings. Delivery is five dollars and is exclusive for those living in Perth. This is for the student who is willing to break the bank a little for that special something.
