Fresh-produce program makes ‘astonishing’ Cape Breton debut

After eight successful years in mainland Nova Scotia, the Square Roots program has decided to expand its reach to Cape Breton. This initiative, run by Saint Mary’s University Enactus program, aims to address food insecurity and food waste by providing fresh fruits and vegetables to small communities.

The first Square Roots event in Port Hawkesbury was a massive success, with 900 kilograms of produce being quickly exhausted on Saturday afternoon. Another 330 kilograms of food disappeared within 90 minutes the following day, showcasing the high demand for fresh produce in the area.

Nate Collier, co-manager of the Square Roots project and a third-year bachelor of commerce student at SMU, expressed his shock at the overwhelming response from the community. He noted that half of the produce was gone before the event even officially started.

Established in 2016, Square Roots sources surplus or unusable produce from farmers, wholesalers, and supermarkets. The goods are initially offered for free to raise awareness in host communities, which then organize sales at prices lower than those in grocery stores. The proceeds from these sales are reinvested back into the program for further growth.

Following the success of the Guysborough operation, Michele Tabensky organized Cape Breton’s first Square Roots experience. The community is now taking online orders for their upcoming produce sale on March 21 at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. Tabensky praised the quality of the fruits and vegetables available, noting that they were far from being considered “seconds.”

The Square Roots program is planning further expansion into Cape Breton, with upcoming launches in D’Escousse, Sydney, and Baddeck. Additionally, the initiative will be setting up in Shelburne County and the Annapolis Valley this weekend, as they aim to extend their network across the province.

Collier and his colleagues are committed to providing free produce in these areas, following the successful model implemented in Cape Breton. The Square Roots program continues to make a positive impact by tackling food insecurity and food waste while promoting access to fresh and affordable produce in communities across Nova Scotia.