KENORA — The owners of HoJoe Coffee and Eatery say their efforts to support other local businesses in the area has brought a fresh taste to their products.
Danielle Trudel and her business partner took over the shop back in October.
“Our big thing when we decided to take over was just trying to collaborate with as many other small businesses as we possibly could," she said.
“Our small business can't run without other small businesses, so we want to be able to help out as many others as we can."
Trudel said when the team saw AgriTech North was expanding, they decided to switch over to using locally grown products.
“We're getting fresh grown produce that's coming in every week now. I just wanted to have a good quality product, but also be able to support some of those other local businesses in the area.”
Benjamin Feagin Jr., CEO of AgriTech North, went to high school in Dryden with Jenny Wheatley who is Trudel’s business partner at HoJoe Coffee and Eatery.
“We grew up together. She came by our new shop in Dryden and then we got to talking, it wasn't until after we got caught up that we realized she owns and operates HoJoe’s.
“Now they're working in our ingredients to the food that they serve from the establishment. It kind of just came out of catching up with an old friend, I suppose.”
AgriTech North is all about food security, said Feagin.
“I grew up food insecure in this region. We've always struggled with it. When I came back to be closer to family with my partner Fabian, we wanted to make the biggest social impact possible while combining our skills, and that's where AgriTech North came from.
“It's just trying to solve the barriers of well-being and healthier life in the Northwest,” Feagin said.
AgriTech delivers to Kenora every week, and people interested in options in the Kenora region are encouraged to shop online, with products being delivered to your door.
HoeJoe Coffee and Eatery is located at 103 Main Street S. in Kenora, and more information can be found on their Instagram page.
