People have taken a real interest in local businesses, one owner said
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Some British Columbia businesses have seen increases in foot traffic and sales despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several local abattoirs and butcher shops are busier now than they’ve ever been.
The lineups and potential supply shortages at large commercial retailers are prompting consumers to consider supporting local businesses instead, said Mike Noullett, owner and operator of Kawano Farms in Prince George. He’s also a board member with the B.C. Association of Abattoirs.
“We’ve got lots of new customers coming around and a lot of our old customers are doing a lot more shopping at our store,” he told Farms.com. “We would’ve thought with people being laid off there would’ve been less shopping, but I think with this hoarding of food and empty (grocery store) shelves, people are coming into their local businesses.”
Some consumers have expressed a commitment to buying from a local butcher instead of from a commercial retailer, even if the products cost a few dollars more, Noullett added.
Meeting the increased demand hasn’t been an issue.
B.C,’s livestock farmers have been able to supply the abattoirs with enough product to keep up, Noullett said.
“We haven’t had a problem and we’ve got some really good producers around who are willing to move a few more animals,” he said.
Farms.com has reached out to B.C. livestock industry groups for comment.