Local Food Producers Weighing Options

Many local food producers are worried about what this summer is going to look like.

 

Phil Veldhuis is the president of Direct Farm Manitoba.

 

"They've been really concerned about whether the markets and whether the consumers will be there when their product is ready," he commented. "If you're thinking about planting peppers or sweet corn or something, you're kind of counting on there being a farmers' market full of people in the middle of July and August to buy those things. And if you didn't think that would be there, you'd probably rethink how much you're going to put into the planting."

 

Veldhuis notes some producers are seeing an increase in demand for their products.

 

"Producers that have stable products, whether that would be the last of the root vegetables, carrots and potatoes, or meat. In my case, I'm a honey producer and those folks are seeing a significant uptick in demand, partly because people don't want to get into the grocery stores. In some cases its long-term customers just wanting to make sure that they can get it from us."

 

It was announced this week that the federal and provincial governments will be supporting a project which will allow local food producers and farmers’ markets to sell their products online.

Video: CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

In this CEOs of the Industry – International Edition, we sit down with Michael Agerley, Partner at IQinAbox, to explore how data is reshaping the future of pig production.

After more than 20 years as a veterinarian, Michael shares his unique perspective on the shift from hands-on animal care to data-driven decision making across the pork value chain.

We dive into:

• How better data is improving real on-farm decisions

• The biggest opportunities still untapped in pig production

• How Europe is leading (and where it’s still lagging) in tech adoption

• The role of AI and smart systems in the next 5–10 years

• Why trust, leadership, and practical application matter more than ever

This conversation bridges veterinary insight, technology, and real-world farming, offering a clear look at where the industry is headed—and what it will take to get there.