As a second-generation farmer in Abbotsford, Gagan Singh saw how much people struggled with the rising cost of groceries.

That’s when he came up with the idea of a community group buy.

“It’s getting crazy, who can afford grocery store prices anymore?,” said Gagan Singh.

“Abbotsford is the agricultural capital of Canada, it’s ridiculous how much we grow here… if we can figure out how to get people affordable fresh food, we can start working on other parts of society.”

This is how the community group buy works – each family contributes $100 every month – that money is pooled together to directly buy wholesale from local farmers. The haul is then brought back here for families to pick up. So far, 160 families have signed up for the pilot.

“Peaches that are $5 a pound, we’re getting it for $1.50, carrots that are $4 a bundle, we’re getting it for $1.25.”

“I have 4 kids, so it’s really hard to afford fresh fruits, it’s just too much. So, we have to cut back and get simple things like bananas and oranges, so it’s a treat to get other fruits,” said Samantha Hickie.

Families from across the Lower Mainland are contributing and finding community in the process.

“In the group chat, within the first week, we had four different subgroups develop. Burnaby, Tri-City areas, and everybody is grouping together to pick up instead of eight different people coming out. And it brings back that community, relying on your neighbours,” said Stacey Brown.

It’s not just the buyers that are getting a bang for their buck, it’s also the farmers.

“So the farmer who is normally charging $1 is getting $1.50, they’re excited. It’s a win-win on both sides. The way I negotiate is how much we’re buying, what’s your best price?”

While the three-month pilot is only focused on fruits and veggies, Singh hopes to eventually expand to meat and dairy products as well.