The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has inspired a Calgary business to establish an online local food delivery service.

Prairie Horizon Fresh Market is a collection of fresh market vendors and small businesses located in the New Horizon Mall, along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway just south of the CrossIron Mills shopping centre.

“Now more than ever it is good to buy local from producers who need your business. The COVID-19 outbreak is causing major disruption in retail and the food supply chain and people need to know there are options,” said Ken Aylesworth, general manager, Prairie Horizon Fresh Market, in a news release.

“We are kicking off an awareness campaign to let people know that we have fresh produce, dairy products, beef and chicken and many other food items available online with delivery.”

The following merchants are offering online delivery right now with more to follow:

  • Just Ripe: All produce currently in season – cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, lettuce, peppers;

  • Moo Cow / Dutchman Dairy: dairy products – milk, cheese, butter, ice cream;

  • RFG Meats and Seafood: locally raised beef, chicken, and fresh frozen Canadian sourced seafood;

  • Clean Pantry: Pantry Staples – Keto, Paleo, Whole30, Diabetic, Sugar-free, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Allergen Free, Vegan.

Officials say Ukrainian Fine Foods (frozen pierogies, sausage, cabbage rolls) will be joining the roster soon.

Local food will be available online starting on Saturday, March 21 at 9 a.m. here: http://www.prairiehorizonfreshmarket.com/directdelivery

“Our community of locally produced food vendors is being challenged as many small businesses are being challenged across the country. By joining forces and teaming up we have created a simple, effective way to make our food available online and have it delivered,” said Aylesworth.

Minimum orders of $75 will be charged a 50/50 delivery fee of $10 with half going to the driver and half going to the Calgary and Airdrie Food Banks. Orders over $150 pay no delivery.

Prairie Horizon Fresh Market vendors worked together to launch the service as one provided access to its Shopify account to get products online quickly, another has provided a refrigerated van for delivery and all are setting up to take orders as the online delivery service starts Saturday.

The Fresh Market will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Starting at 9 a.m. there will be Seniors Only shopping for an hour until 10 a.m. Vendors are taking appointments so customers can learn where the food comes from and keep numbers down. Farm to table food provision limits public contact with supply.

The Market has introduced the following precautions:

  •  suspending all product sampling by vendors to the public;
  • increasing and enhancing cleaning and sanitation practices in high touch point locations like table tops, chairs, door handles, etc.;
  • suspending the use of all reusable cups and containers; and
  • monitoring foot traffic and maintaining a maximum head count of 50 people including vendors and staff within the market space.