Tomatoes arrive to feed growing demand

A truckload of about 2,000 boxes of Ontario-grown Roma tomatoes arrived in Brandon on Friday, offering residents access to fresh produce at prices below those at some retail stores.

The delivery was brought to the city by Sanni Wasiu, owner of Manaar Logistics, as part of his growing produce distribution business serving several Canadian provinces — and catering to Brandon’s Nigerian community in particular.

Wasiu said a 25-pound box of tomatoes sells for $16, compared with what he described as retail prices of $25 to $30.

“That’s the difference, and that’s the reason. Considering that this is the season as well … people seize the opportunity to buy and stock for a whole year,” he told the Sun.

“This shipment contained only tomatoes, with about 2,000 boxes already sold because they were pre-ordered. We identify the owners when they arrive and give them their boxes.”

He said customers join a WhatsApp group, place their orders and pay in advance, allowing him to determine the quantity required before travelling to Ontario, where the produce is grown and harvested.

“We take the record to the farm once it’s ready; we bring it down for supply,” he said.

Wasiu, who has worked as a truck driver for nearly five years, said he began distributing tomatoes and peppers last year from his truck on Third Street near St. Augustine’s Church.

“The idea to start distributing peppers started last year when I realized what people, Nigerians in particular, normally face during the winter season,” he told the Sun.

“We can’t do without peppers. When I see that people go through a lot of stress and troubles — sometimes we even get to fight ourselves at the malls before we could get these peppers — I just thought it would be wise if I do this to ameliorate the suffering of the people.”

Wasiu now distributes produce to customers in Manitoba, Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and parts of Ontario.

For Brandon customer Funmi Omole, the ability to purchase tomatoes in bulk at a lower price is particularly important because of the role tomatoes and peppers play in Nigerian cooking.

“I’m a Nigerian Yoruba girl. We use a lot of tomatoes and peppers, and we find out that it’s more expensive to buy in the store, especially during the winter,” Omole said.

“We buy in very large quantities, and it’s way cheaper to buy from him.”

Omole said buying individual tomatoes at retail stores can be considerably more expensive.

She said there is an opportunity for Brandon or Westman farmers to serve the growing market.

“It would be nice if we can get them locally in Brandon, if we have farmers that can supply us, and we don’t have to wait this long to get it,” Omole said.

“If we can get Brandon farmers that can plant these, so that we get them locally, it would be a good thing for the economy of Brandon.”

Another customer, Tosin Afolabi, said Wasiu’s service has made it easier for Brandon residents to access fresh produce.

“Wasiu is truly a lifesaver for us here in Brandon,” Afolabi said. “He has made getting fresh, quality pepper so much easier and more affordable for us.”

Instead of having to deal with the high prices at the market, Wasiu brings the farm right to our doorstep, she said.

Afolabi said the quality and convenience of the deliveries have made the service valuable to the community.

“It feels like having a little piece of home brought straight from the farm to Brandon,” she said.

The next shipment is expected in about two weeks and will include a wider range of produce, including habanero, shepherd, crimson, cayenne and bell peppers, as well as onions, Wasiu said.

Like Friday’s tomato shipment, the next delivery is expected to be largely based on pre-orders.

The operation, however, comes with challenges.

“The toughest one I would say is the logistics,” Wasiu said. “Sometimes, we can experience breakdowns. It’s unpredictable.”

He said there are also challenges involved in harvesting the produce from farms in Ontario.

“Plucking the tomatoes is not an easy job,” he said. “But we are dealing with it. We are coping. It’s our job. We signed up for it, and then we are managing well.”

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola