A previous version of this story failed to mention unvaccinated truckers and vaccine mandates at the border with the United States as having effects on the trucking industry. Yellowknifer regrets the oversight and any confusion or embarrassment it may have caused.
The ongoing situation regarding unvaccinated truckers and vaccine mandates put in place by the federal government is yet another issue impacting produce deliveries coming into Yellowknife.
“There are still transportation issues before it even hits the warehouses in Edmonton and Calgary and stuff,” said Glen Meek of Glen’s Independent Grocer downtown.
Effective Jan. 15, “some foreign national travellers who were previously allowed to enter Canada without being fully vaccinated will now be required to be fully vaccinated in order to enter Canada,” reads a line from the Government of Canada website regarding current border measures and requirements.
However, Yellowknifer first reported on produce shortages in the city on Dec. 5, which was attributed to “transportation and supply” at the time.
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On top of more recent vaccination issues for truckers, Meek also drew a connection between the shortfall of some fresh foods and challenging weather.
“There’s so many variables,” he said. “Lots of breakdowns (due to weather).”
Jeff Kincaid, business development manager at the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op, also acknowledged difficulties obtaining produce — down 12 per cent, he said. .
“Produce is a difficult commodity because it’s so perishable. It has a short shelf life. So when there’s interruptions at various stages, a lot of product gets spoiled,” he said. “There’s still some weather concerns in various areas, and then there’s workers having to isolate, not being able to go to work. That greatly affects something as perishable as produce.”
However, Kincaid reassured that his store is “rolling along.”