An Ottawa-area farmer is planning to send more than 900 kilograms of potatoes to Iqaluit after a fire ravaged one of the city鈥檚 only grocery stores.
Mike Milsom of Mike's Garden Harvest has been sending organic potatoes to the northern community every week for a while now, but says his latest shipment will be a donation.
鈥淢y own emotional response to the events that happened with the fire and everything (was): 鈥楾his is where the potatoes need to go,鈥欌�� he told CTV Ottawa.
On Nov. 8, Iqaluit鈥檚 largest store went up in flames in a series of overnight fires throughout the city. A 17-year-old female has been charged in connection with the incident.
The fire at Northmart, where an estimated 60 per cent of the city鈥檚 food comes from, has put an area with serious food security issues under even more stress.
Residents had previously told 麻豆传媒 Channel they feared the fire would impact the price of some items, which are already as high as $10.19 for a jug of orange juice.
Milsom says the 907-kilogram donation could鈥檝e been more if they weren鈥檛 at the end of the growing season. He鈥檚 hoping the shipment can begin the 2,085-kilometre trip north on Monday, but the airline he planned to use is already full.
"Once we have the capacity available, we'll be more than happy to look at ways to continue to support the community of Iqaluit with those who want to help,鈥� FirstAir said in a statement.
One of Milsom鈥檚 customers has set up to help cover the costs of shipping the produce.
With a report from CTV Ottawa鈥檚 Joanne Schnurr
