Uncertainty over U.S. tariffs and whether they will drive up already sky-high food prices may be motivating residents of British Columbia to take up gardening this spring, say local seed companies.
Business is blooming at B.C. Eco Seed Co-op, which sells only organic and ecological seeds grown in British Columbia. Loki Wallace, Eco Seed's operations manager, says net seed sales are up 96 percent over this time last year as gardeners and farmers in British Columbia look for ways to support the local economy.
"All our seeds are grown by our members here in B.C.," said Wallace. "We've got so many new customers, and a lot of people are writing just to say 'we're excited about the fact that this is local seed,' and that really seems to be a driving factor for a lot of people."
Wallace said that while the co-op is out of or low on some stock because of the high demand, more seeds are on the way. Sales are also picking up speed with farmers who used to buy from larger companies, which is "really exciting," they said, adding that purchases from farmers are up 25 percent over last year.
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