Savour Ottawa hosted the fourth annual Farmer-Chef Meet & Greet on March 1, bringing together 25 farmers and 60 buyers at the Fairmont Château Laurier.
The event aimed to bring together area farmers, retailers and restaurants in one room so they can meet and form business relationships, said Heather Hossie, co-ordinator for Savour Ottawa, an initiative that works to promote Ottawa’s local culinary scene.
“Great connections were made (on Monday) and I think this has been one of the most successful meet-and-greets in terms of solid business connections being made,” she said.
Hossie said the format of the event was similar to speed dating, but with the passion for fresh local products instead.
Farmers set up their table with samples or photographs of their products, while buyers, such as chefs and retailers, circulated around the room to check out the prospects.
Some of the items available included eggs, cheese wheels, legs of smoked pork and jars of apple syrup and homemade jam.
Thom van Eeghen, co-owner of the Elk Ranch in Kanata, was one of 25 farmers that attended the event.
“It’s the highlight of Savour Ottawa in my point of view. I think they’ve done very well and (the event) has helped my business incredibly,” he said.
Van Eeghen has attended the meet-and-greet each year and said he believes the initiative is gaining popularity.
“I think people are aware that this meeting goes on. I find more suppliers coming to the meet-and-greets, which adds to the diversity of our restaurants’ local products,” he said.
The initiative also helps identify where local products are available by branding farmers and retailers with the Savour Ottawa logo if they meet the basic requirements.
Savour Ottawa follows the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s definition of local, which means that the products must come from either Renfrew, Lanark, Prescott and Russell, Leeds and Grenville, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, or Frontenac.
Retailers and restaurants are required to spend a minimum of 15 per cent of their annual food costs or $25,000 on local products.