Long before it became known for award-winning restaurants, wineries, and culinary tourism, The County was defined by the people who worked the land. Always an agricultural community, and widely celebrated for its vibrant culinary scene, behind every plate is a network of farmers — who face the logistical hurdles of getting food from field to table.

The County Farm Collective is returning the County to its agricultural roots — in a digital landscape. 

Founded by Hank Goddard of Rorafresh Farms, Mike Da Silva, and Hans Ning of Paper Kite Farm, the CFC soft-launched in spring 2025. “This is the service we’d want as residents of PEC — and we’re uniquely positioned, right now, to bring it to life,” says Mr. Goddard. 

Today, the Collective connects fifteen local vendors on its website, where vegetables, meat, seed oils, pantry staples, and seasonal harvest products are offered for sale. Every vendor is independent, but the CFC platform offers more than any one farm could on its own: a reliable, year-round destination for truly local food. 

Vendors include Brackens, Edwin County farms, Fiddlehead Farm, Hellyer Organics, Nomad Mushrooms PEC, Paper Kite, Portico Gardens, Ivyridge Honey Farm, Ravensview Farm, Return to Earth, Rorafresh, Sheep on 7, The Elmbrook Farm, and Vicki’s Veggies. 

“It’s about connecting the food we grow right here on our farms, sharing the bounty of other amazing local producers, and strengthening the local food system that makes Prince Edward County so special to all of us,” says Mr. Goddard.

While the initial focus was on streamlining the supply chain for restaurants, the platform is now live for  anyone who would like to order fresh food. 

“This is the easiest way to shop local for high quality and fresh food. A few clicks on the CFC’s website and delicious food is on its way to one of three convenient pick up locations. I am so happy to support our local farmers and get incredibly fresh and delicious food,” says resident Marilyn Toombs.

Small and mid-sized farms face pressure from rising costs, unpredictable markets, labour shortages, and distribution systems that aren’t designed for independent producers. 

While consumers say they want to buy local, convenience often wins. Grocery stores remain the default, but not because they always offer the best food.

How It Works 

The CFC also recognizes that convenience matters. By handling the marketing, administration, and technical heavy lifting behind an online catalogue, it allows farmers to focus on growing.

Restaurants and residents can browse the week’s offerings and order directly through the online portal. 

Chef Jared Hartley notes, “as a chef who grew up in PEC, I am so lucky to work with a company like the County Farm Collective. Sourcing quality ingredients is a constant endeavour. Having a platform that connects me to a diverse list of products and producers allows me to have as much locally cultivated, and quality, food as possible. As a community, we need to prioritize the support of our farmers. We live in an area with some of the best food in the world, and the CFC is helping more of it reach your plate.” 

Changing shopping habits requires more than asking people to care about where their food is from and how it’s grown—it requires making local food easier to access. That’s why the Collective combines online ordering with strategically located pickup points at Penny’s Pantry in Picton, Bloomfield Wellness Club, and County Feasts in Wellington. All share the Collective’s commitment to community, sustainability, and supporting local producers. 

For restaurants, the platform simplifies sourcing from multiple farms with one ordering system. For residents, it provides an easier way to purchase directly from local producers without multiple farm visits or seasonal ordering schedules. 

Behind the technology is a much larger purpose. 

The founders believe that local food security depends on having strong local farms, not just today, but for generations to come. That means creating business systems that make farming economically sustainable, lower barriers for new producers, and keep more food dollars in the County.

As Penny’s Pantry owner Penny Morris puts it, “I’m a small store, and getting fresh vegetables and fruits into small retail shops like mine can be a challenge. I do my best to support local farmers, and the Collective offers a gain in being part of community and supporting farmers. Equally important to me, it reduces the carbon footprint of food. I think we need to be doing more work together to make the environment cleaner.”

To learn more about CFC & find PEC’s harvest all in one spot, head to https://www.countyfarmcollective.com/