Return of Tupperville Fruit Co.

Doug Brown is helping to revive the century-old Tupperville Fruit Co., thanks to growing interest in the local-food movement.

"A renewed interest in local food and public demand for sustainable products made this business relevant again," said Brown, an established Nova Scotia baker and company president.

Brown and his wife, Joy Elliott, along with Jim and Loretta Inglis, have revived the 110-year-old company to provide the Atlantic region with a range of organic produce and baked goods.

Originally part of the United Fruit Co., Tupperville Fruit established apple warehouses throughout the Annapolis Valley to help farmers market their produce and ensure a fair return for their work.

When markets shifted and apple prices tumbled, farmers in the co-operative were forced to abandon their crops and the operation ceased to exist.

But Brown and Jim Inglis have brought the same principles of locally grown organic food and fair trade to their new business.

"Rather than sending apples out of the province for processing, we want to do it right here," Brown said in an interview at his large farmhouse a few kilometres east of Annapolis Royal.

Originally from Ontario, he moved to Nova Scotia about 15 years ago and has owned and operated Oakhaven Bakery out of his home for the past 11 years, baking bread from organic ingredients and selling it wholesale.

"We’re trying to bring the fair trade process to apple and wheat growers," he said in a recent interview while removing freshly baked pita bread from his old fireplace-style oven.

The company recently launched a line of baked goods that it markets as Honest Pies, products that contain all organic ingredients and bring fair wages to its workers.

The company started with apple pies, but it plans to branch out into pumpkin, strawberry and rhubarb.

Its products are already selling at several farmers markets around the province, including ones in Wolfville, Kentville, Halifax, Annapolis Royal, Dartmouth and Sydney, as well as ones in Sussex, Fredericton and Dieppe in New Brunswick.

"I’m really proud that some of the heritage apples we grow here are on trees that were planted by my great-great grandfather and have had continuous care for well over 100 years," said Jim Inglis, a certified organic producer since 1991.

He owns one of the original apple warehouses of the former fruit co-op.

"We’re thrilled with the response to our products," said Brown. "People realize the importance of local food, not only from the perspective of sustainability, but also of community."

By GORDON DELANEY