A Winnipeg food co-op that moves Manitoba-grown food from farm to table is looking to expand a pilot project that delivers orders to people who buy items as a group. Fireweed Food Co-op launched the buying group model in 2024, and a board member says it can be more affordable and convenient than shopping at a farmers' market alone.

How does the buying group work?

About 10 residents at the Old Grace Housing Co-op in Wolseley take part, receiving a drop-off every two weeks. Fireweed gathers food from roughly 30 farmers and producers across Manitoba, northern Ontario and Nunavut, then distributes it to individual and wholesale buyers in the city, including organizations, restaurants and schools.

Group buying changes the economics for producers. Laura Pelser, co-chair of Fireweed's board, said a farmer can deliver a large quantity at once — she used the example of 100 pounds of pie pumpkins — and the group divides it among members. That reduces work for the producer and can lead to a better price. The model is also more financially feasible for the co-op than delivering to individual homes, and it lets buyers keep purchasing from small-scale farmers beyond the May-to-October market season.

Who does the pilot help?

For Carlos Sosa, 45, the program removed practical barriers. He did not have a car when the project started, and his wife uses a wheelchair. Home-adjacent delivery meant the couple did not have to travel to the co-op's pickup locations or to the St. Norbert market, about 13 kilometres away. After a recent delivery he picked up eggs and fresh spinach. Pelser said the appeal goes beyond price, pointing to a search for more connection and transparency in how people buy food.

What else is happening in local food?

The Winnipeg pilot is one of several regional efforts to shorten the distance between producers and eaters. Grand Council Treaty #3 has posted a request for proposals for a year-long planning project toward its first regional food hub, with a Nov. 20 deadline and professional fees capped at $150,000. The work, running from November 2026 to November 2027 with all 28 Treaty #3 First Nations, includes mapping gardens, harvesting, producers and gaps in cold storage and transportation. Separately, AgriCart, an online marketplace co-founded by Ellery Burton and Carl Esau, connects agricultural businesses with manufacturers and suppliers.

FAQ

What is a food buying group?

It is a arrangement in which several households order produce and other items together, so a producer can make one large delivery that is then split among members.

Where does Fireweed get its food?

Fireweed aggregates products from about 30 farmers and producers in Manitoba, northern Ontario and Nunavut, according to the co-op.