Photo: Iqaluit winter food market draws another crowd

Bundled-up Iqalungmiut poured into Nakasuk School during a -35 C midwinter’s day, Feb. 14, to shop at IqaluEat’s third food market which featured the group’s biggest selection of food so far from producers in eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Fresh baguettes, bagels, cheeses and berries sold out quickly and some 1,700 kilograms of fruit, vegetables, dried goods, cooking oils and Valentine’s Day treats were nearly sold out in two hours. About 200 shoppers snapped up their favourites, said Michel Potvin, lead organizer of the citizens’ group whose goal is to create a food market co-op in Nunavut’s capital. Organizers offered a wider variety of food for the winter season, which Potvin admitted is a more challenging time to ship fresh produce. “We now know what sells well, and what doesn’t,” he said. (PHOTO BY PETER VARGA)