The bone collector

OTTAWA — Butcher Eric Gendron hit on a great idea. He sells dog treats at Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park farmers’ market on Sundays. In this pandemic lockdown year, demand for pet dogs for companionship has spiked. So has the demand for bones. He had 300 bones on hand on Nov. 8 and sold out. The large bones sell for $8 each, which is a bargain, as similar-sized bones sell for $18 in city pet stores.

Four years ago, Gendron started “from scratch” as a butcher, he says. The former OPP fleet co-ordinator has since teamed up with Manotick Station’s Arc Acres. He cuts their beef and together they sell bones and packaged meat at the market. “I’m the farmer, he’s the butcher,” said Amber Payne, adding that this year sales have been “incredible” as consumers are seeking more of their food from local businesses.