Connor McNamara of Fire Berry Farmstead was one of five local members of the Métis Nation of Ontario to recently receive a $5,000 economic development grant from Bruce Power.

McNamara plans to use the funding to purchase a freeze dryer for the farm, which he says will allow them to expand the products they serve to the local community, storing out-of-season vegetables and fruits, as well as larger meat products. are difficult to process and store without the appropriate equipment.

“Something like garlic keeps for a while,” he says. “But many other things need to be addressed and preserved immediately. This grant will allow us to purchase a freeze dryer so that we can store items to build our stock.

Other recipients included Emmerson Tree and Landscaping, which received funds to purchase new equipment, and LePage Fishery, which will use its business grant to repair a fishing tugboat.

Georgian Bay Métis Council president Ron Lepage said a total of 28 applications were received for the five Bruce Power grants.

As for Fire Berry Farmstead located in Wyebridge, McNamara hopes that purchasing a freeze dryer will not only help her business thrive, but also satisfy her toddler’s cravings for frozen strawberries.

“She loves freeze-dried strawberries. Even fresh berries. She always eats them in the field. This may be another reason why we cannot keep them in stock.