FLAGGING LOCAL OPTIONS
FLAGGING LOCAL OPTIONS HELPING SHOPPERS IDENTIFY CANADIAN PRODUCTS W hen the growing “support local” sentiment started to ramp up again this spring thanks to the BY SHERRY KANIUGA
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products, and it’s working on bringing in even more homegrown items over the next few weeks and months, Baranyk says. “When a business brings in locally made products for customers, you’re helping those businesses succeed — but it also often means you’re offering really good, unique products that people may not find at the big retail chains,” Baranyk says. “It gives customers a chance to try something new and different, while supporting two local businesses at the same time.” As staff continue to put the little flags around the store, they know they need to do their research, Baranyk adds. “We want to be certain that the product is truly Canadian. We get the information right from our suppliers, so when we put up a label, we know it’s correct.” As summer approaches, Harry’s Fine Foods also connects with nearby growers — including right in St. Andrews — to offer locally grown fresh produce, such as cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, dill and garlic, Baranyk says. “Customers really enjoy the local produce, because it’s so fresh — and you can really taste the difference in produce that’s grown locally.”
threat and reality of tariffs on Canadian exports, the staff of a family-owned grocery store in the R.M. of St. Andrews got busy making it easy for customers to find homegrown options. They placed hundreds of mini Canadian flags next to product price tags all around the Harry’s Fine Foods store, allowing shoppers to instantly recognize which products are made here. “Our customers want to choose locally made products. This way, they don’t have to guess or spend time reading the label,” says Harry’s Fine Foods owner Mary Baranyk. The full-service grocery store with a small-town feel has a large produce department, a bakery, a deli with hot food options, a fresh meat department, a pharmacy and more. “Our deli supports Canadian and locally made products” reads a sign taped to the deli counter, and a “PROUDLY CANADIAN” message is part of the rotating display sign outside the store. The store is already known among its loyal customers for carrying a lot of Canadian and Manitoba-made
19 SUMMER 2025
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