FAQs

The use of property is regulated through the Land Use By-law, which contains definitions for the uses which are permitted in different zones. The Land Use By-law already contains a definition for 'cultivation and processing' but which allows the production of cannabis. As the production of vegetables indoors has a much lower impact on adjacent properties, a separate definition has been introduced and proposed to be allowed in more zones. This new definition specifically prohibits the production of cannabis.

The application is proposing to allow indoor vegetable production within several different zones, including the C-1, C2-M and C-3 zones. A full list of permitted uses within these zones can be found here.

Many land use planning applications are intended to make a change to one specific property. A general amendment to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law means that the proposed change would not just apply to one property, and instead would apply the new rules to many properties. In this case, the proposed new use would be allowed on any lot within the C-1, C2-M and C-3 zones rather than just one specific property.

Yarmouth Alimentaire is a corner grocery-store -but it grows all of its vegetables indoors, on site. This means that it will only be able to offer a small catalogue of produce and herbs, but this catalogue can be produced reliably - even in the winter. This type of small-scale indoor farming is best when confronting specific logistical issues, like supply delays or outages.
 

It's well-known that local restaurants have had difficulty reliably obtaining fresh produce for their menus at reasonable prices, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. By maintaining a wholesale relationship with Yarmouth Alimentaire, local restaurants will no longer have to manage those supply inconsistencies - and will have a regular, high-quality, local source for these items throughout any future pandemics, weather emergencies, or logistics failures. Unfortunately, as climate change continues, these events will become more common - so Yarmouth Alimentaire is also "future-proofing" the county against further disruptions to food security.

The town of Yarmouth is at the very end of a long shipping and logistics chain for groceries that starts in Truro, is redistributed through the Annapolis Valley, and finally shipped to Yarmouth by road. Some produce for local restaurants is shipped directly from Moncton. These shipping chains are easily disrupted by flooding, customs disputes, and even pandemics - all of which are events which will become more common as climate change continues. Finally, because of this long logistics chain, groceries in Yarmouth county are considerably more expensive than in other parts of the province. A local indoor produce-growing operation can provide reliable supply without any shipping concerns - more importantly, by keeping its catalogue small and its overhead low, a local produce operation can keep its cost below most other sources. Especially at the wholesale level.

Yarmouth Alimentaire is here to serve commercial restaurant or kitchen customers - hotels, and even fishing vessels with a galley. By growing a small catalogue of high-quality, commonly-used produce items, commercial concerns can be assured that their sourcing will be consistent in price and availability. As well, those prices will not fluctuate in winter. Yarmouth Alimentaire will also have a small retail counter to serve its community, offering a portion of its product over-the-counter, like a normal grocery store.

Yarmouth Alimentaire will be located in downtown Yarmouth in order to be closest to its wholesale clients. A location closest to the densest number of restaurants and commercial kitchens in the county will lower overhead by lowering gas costs - and those savings can be passed on to wholesale clients.

Our location is also close to Yarmouth's waterfront, making us convenient for fishing vessels that take on wholesale produce for their galleys. Finally, our location will make us easily available to retail clientele who regularly shop at the Yarmouth Farmer's Market - but we will be open all week.

No, Yarmouth Alimentaire will work hard to support local farming operations by offering them space for pickup/dropoff of their CSA baskets, at no charge. We will also offer local farmers space in our storefront to sell their goods, at any time of year. We also hope to encourage the local agricultural community to invest in 4-seasons growing techniques, so that high-quality produce is locally available year-round.

No, Yarmouth Alimentaire will grow its produce hydroponically in sterile substrate. There will be no manure or compost used on-site, and all of its waste will be disposed of using a commercial organic-waste disposal company. The space will vent moisture outdoors at all times, but the fans are low-flow and noiseless.

Yes - interested county residents can research Phil Hatcher's Very Local Greens in Halifax, as well as Lufa Farms and InFarm in other cities.

Our operation is very small, growing in space smaller than 1000 square feet - a small basement apartment. We accomplish this using efficient grow-lights, sterile growing media, and high-density growing structures.