Hardy Organic Products

Name: John Hardy and Sons
Owners: The Hardy Family
Telephone: (902) 853-4014
Farm Address: 558 Dock Rd. Alberton, PEI
Mailing Address: RR1, Alberton, PE C0B 1B0

The Hardys are one of Prince Edward Island's first families of organic growing and they are now the province's first family of tofu. Hardy's Organic Products was established in October 2002 when the family purchased the tofu manufacturing company, Maritime Soycraft.

The Hardy tofu production centre farm boasts an outbuilding where the family makes four flavours of tofu (plain, garlic, herb, and chilli) and roasts soybeans to make a healthy alternative snack food. Soy Hardy uses the old-fashioned, or open kettle, method of cooking soybeans and John has designed his own roaster to get the texture he wants for the roasted beans. Most of the operation's product goes to Sobey's and Loblaw's main warehouses, but is also available at the Root Cellar, the Co-op, and the Charlottetown Farmers' Market. The company has grown since the Hardys took over, and John says consumer awareness is at least part of the reason.

"Organic foods are recognized as more than just a fad," he says. "A lot of people are starting to realize that, if you aren't buying certified organic, you don't know what you're getting." He is full of ideas for building consumer confidence and future product expansion. In fact, Soy Hardy has added plain, salted, all dressed, and hot soy nuts and more recently tofu ice cream to their product line. "Our markets have grown since we bought the company so we're headed the way we want to be going."

John Hardy says that the company's biggest challenge is not letting the issues they face become overwhelming. But, he says, there has also been good news for Island organic growers and he credits the provincial government. "Now at least we're recognized. We're allowed into insurance and safety net programs, and any inputs we're allowed by the organic organization we can apply to the nutrient management program for help," he says. "It used to be that any crops organic growers put in were at our own risk, so it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Products: Specializing in tofu products including packaged tofu, soy nuts and tofu ice cream.
Available: Sobeys, Superstore, Best of PEI, Root Cellar and Co-op stores
Certifying Body: ACO

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