Local grocer— is expanding.
Last week, they opened their second location, The Local Barn, in the Squamish Town Hub, near Locavore Bar & Grill, on Mamquam Road.
It has been quite a journey for the family-owned business.
Originally from Chile, with a family background in farming that goes back generations, the business found success with a delivery service of fresh fruits and veggies.
The timing was perfect. With COVID-19 and its restrictions in full force, people were eager for fresh food delivered to their homes.
As the pandemic slowed and normal life resumed, the business took a financial hit, says Hidalgo, as people went back to shopping in stores.
Two years ago, it was a little rough, he recalled, adding he was shovelling his own money into the business to keep it afloat.
The original plan when they arrived had been to go back to their home country, but with the state of things politically and economically there, combined with the fact they loved Squamish, the family decided to stay for good.
"Squamish is, for me, the perfect town on all the planet," said Hidalgo.
"This [is such] a special town; for kids, it is very good. My kids go skiing now, in the summer—biking. It is close to Vancouver, close to Whistler. I love all of the small companies—crazy people like me, with a small company."
Farmers on Duty’s focus on delivery transitioned to throwing open the doors to their Produce Outlet at 38922 Queens Way, and locals walked through in droves.
On March 21, they had their opening at the second Squamish Town Hub location.
Hidalgo says their first three days saw 100 brand new customers, including folks from out of town.
The Queens Way location sees mostly locals, he says.
At the The Local Barn, there's a selection of local and fresh fruits and vegetables, and also 小蓝视频 eggs, milk and cheese, and more.
There is also a selection of locally sourced meats.
Frozen salmon and cod are on offer in their own case.
It is like a convenience store, only not the way we usually think of such a business, said Hidalgo.
It is a place to come and grab something quick that is locally and ethically sourced and healthier, he says.
The "new" concept for Farmers On Duty is summed up in a recent post to their social media.
"The new concept of convenience, which is the old concept of convenience. By definition, convenience is the easiest thing to do in one place and quickly,” the post reads. “But be careful, the easiest thing is not always the best. At [Farmers On Duty] we have the freshest and most local products that we personally collect with great passion and enthusiasm, directly from local farms. Because we know that the best always costs more, and we must [all] make a little effort. Welcome to the old concept of convenience, that of our grandparents who knew that the best and freshest is closer than we think."
Wherever possible, the items are sourced in or close to Squamish, like lettuce from the Squamish CAN school farm, carrots from Pemberton, honey from Lillooet, sliced sourdough bread from North Vancouver, organic apples from the Okanagan, and organic eggs from Abbotsford.
Where they can't source the product in 小蓝视频, Hidalgo says they buy directly from the farmers that supply the goods, cutting out the time and expense of brokers.
Hidalgo said it all comes back to his love of farming and farmers.
"I am a farmer in Chile, my grandfather too—all my family. The farm life is really, really special, because it's a life full of colours, with full histories, with full adventure," he said, adding that like life itself, there are ups and downs that farmers must navigate, such as rain, drought or sunshine.
"It is a history of effort, lots of effort," he said.
"[But] when you go with love, with passion, with time ... you can have the best product."
The Produce Outlet at 38922 Queens Way is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The new Local Barn, found at Unit 6 at 1861 Mamquam Rd, is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Follow Farmers on Duty on, or its .
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