Despite pause on tariffs, Winnipeggers still looking for local goods
Posted February 4, 2025 4:58 pm.
Last Updated February 4, 2025 6:26 pm.
When reaching for products you use everyday like an orange at the grocery store, or milk for an afternoon coffee, you might not take a second and think about where it comes from.
However, for many Winnipeggers that has recently changed, and they’re double checking whether or not the product was made in Canada before adding it to their grocery cart.
“I checked every product I needed to buy, and a couple of produce items I didn’t buy, because I couldn’t find any other ones,” said Kunden Sagoo, a grocery shopper on Tuesday.
Others agree, saying the origin of a product due to ongoing tension between the U.S. and Canada, will make them think twice.
“I reached for the Halo oranges,” said Beverley Wolanik. “And I looked and then I went: ‘Ohhh. Not,’” said Beverley Wolanik who was also grocery shopping.
In response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, many people out grocery shopping Tuesday said they’re trying to support our country by only buying Canadian-made goods.
“There’s some sacrifices,” she said. “But you know what, this is hugely important.”

The tariffs have been put on hold for at least 30 days following a conversation between President Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau where the PMO’s office is said to have highlighted security changes along the border.
However, despite the cause, many are still pushing ahead with plans to keep supporting local, Canadian goods as much as possible.
In an effort to support those looking to buy Canadian-made products Winnipeg’s local grocery store, Food Fare, has joined others across the nation by adding stickers showing a “thumbs up” and Canadian flag, to help shoppers identify locally-made products.

“There are products that are packed in Canada, but are U.S.-based companies like Campbell Soup,” Husni Zeid, the Owner and Manager at Food Fare.
“It has the actual Canadian flag on it, but it’s only because it’s packaged in Canada, but it’s a U.S. company. So we’ve identified Canadian products that are strictly Canadian made.”
Zeid says they’ve already noticed more customers coming into the stores and have also received more calls from local suppliers whose products they will be adding to their shelves.
“We love local,” he said. “So anytime there’s local available we’ll bring it in.”