A Community Grocery Store Brings Fresh Choices to Bear River
In Bear River, Nova Scotia, neighbours have turned a shared wish for better grocery options into a store of their own. Fiddlehead Market Co-op opened in July after residents planned the business, sought funding, connected with local suppliers and prepared a storefront.
For a community of about 1,000 people, the response has been encouraging: the co-op already has 130 members. Its shelves carry fresh produce, meat, dairy, pantry staples, bulk goods and cleaning supplies, along with a few takeout options.
Everyone is welcome to shop. Those who want a say in how the store operates can become members by buying a $100 share or volunteering. Members can vote on decisions, including what to do with any surplus profits.
The new store fills a practical need. Bear River has a convenience store, a gas station and a seasonal farmers’ market, but the nearest large grocery stores are a 15-minute drive away in Digby or a 25-minute drive away in Annapolis Royal. Without public transportation, those trips are not easy for everyone. Co-op board chair Drew Tozer said the organizers worked with existing businesses to fill gaps rather than compete with them.
Buying from local suppliers whenever possible helps Fiddlehead offer fresher food and keep more spending close to home. Member and volunteer Amy Rubin said some prices have been a welcome surprise; she recently bought a head of lettuce for $1.75.
The co-op is also finding thoughtful uses for food it cannot sell as-is. Some goes to farmers for animal feed, while imperfect ingredients become grab-and-go meals. Other items are shared through a community kitchen or cupboard.
Just as importantly, Fiddlehead has become a place to meet. “My favourite thing is just seeing the people that you know and that you can just check in on and have good talks and build that resilient community,” said Aly Coy.
Tozer hopes Bear River’s experience encourages other communities to consider what they could build together. “People have a really strong sense of pride and ownership over the endeavour,” she said.
