100 Kilometre Food Store Opens

 Mark and Joanne Lauterbach, Third Generation owners of Levac Apiaries in Green Valley, are proud to announce the grand opening of the Glengarry Beehive, one of Eastern Ontario’s first 100-kilometre, local food stores. The on-farm store is a unique retail concept, where customers can purchase their favourite local foods, knowing that their grocery dollars are being put directly back into their community.

“We heard about a local food store near Toronto that rented shelf space instead of buying and reselling the product” explained Mark Lauterbach. “that’s how the bees do it – they collect the region’s bounty and share it with the whole community. We just like the idea that producers have control. Our role is to facilitate the producer’s ability to obtain top value for their top quality foods.”

The Glengarry Beehive grew out of the Lauterbach’s experience with SD&G Farm Fresh, a local food marketing campaign organized by community stakeholders including the SD&G Community Futures Development Corporation, Cornwall and Seaway Valley Tourism, the Eastern OntarioTraining Board and business partners.

“There are a lot of producers in our community, working at what they love" explained Joanne Lauterbach. "We see this as an opportunity to expand our retail traffic, while giving back to the community by helping to grow the local economy.”

The grand opening of the Glengarry Beehive took place in front of a large audience, including MP Guy Lauzon, MPP Jim Brownell, United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Warden Chris McDonell, and South Glengarry Mayor Jim McDonell.

“I commend the Lauterbach’s for their accomplishment,” said Warden Chris McDonell. “It is this sort of entrepreneurial spirit that makes Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry such a great place to live. I wish them all the best.”

The Glengarry Beehive is located near Green Valley at 20389 Concession Road 5 and is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. For more information, contact Mark or Joanne Lauterbach at glengarrybeehive@gmail.com

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