4th generation getting ready to run farm

(ORIGINAL REPORT AS BUSINESS OF THE MONTH, December 2005)    

What started as a dairy farm close to 60 years ago has seen tremendous change through the years, with the fourth generation now stepping up to operate the family enterprise.  

The Old Dock Farm, situated between Alberton and Elmsdale, has found its niche as an organic soy and tofu producer, with additional products expected in the months ahead.John Hardy is at the helm as owner of the farm, with wife Louise and sons John and Matthew also involved in the operation.  

A dairy operation from its beginning in 1947,  Old Dock Farm in time expanded to growing potatoes and ventured into beef production before selling the dairy component of the farm. 

Through the years, John tried his hand at a variety of new products, including roasted soy nuts back in 1986 - well ahead of its time. Not meeting great success, he turned off the stainless steel roaster until 18 years later, when the market for such healthy and delicious snacks had matured. He points out, the soy nuts, which come in three flavours (Sea Salt, Fire Hot, and All Dressed Up) have not yet made their way onto mainstream supermarket shelves, but sales continue to grow through specialty and health food stores. “There are lots of flavours still to be explored,” he adds. 

The soy nuts are cooked in something similar to a hot air corn popper rather than a hot oil system such as used elsewhere. It takes longer to cook, but the end result is well worth the wait, he explains. 

Before reintroducing his type of soy nuts, John came upon the opportunity to take over an organic tofu manufacturing operation from an Antigonish company. “We kept the organic label,” he explains, noting that most of the soy beans used in manufacturing the four flavours  of tofu (Chili, Garlic, Herb, Firm) are grown on the Hardy farm. When they need additional beans, they purchase them from an organic grower near Charlottetown, thus maintaining their resolve to work with Island produce. 

Manufacturing tofu for three years, John notes there are numerous other products they are looking to develop - “everything from ice cream to meatless burger,” he explains. 

With production on site, surpassing standard CFIA standards, the Hardy brand products will soon bear HACCP certification to meet the highest level of quality controls imposed by discerning retailers. 

John explains the move to organic processed foods was a necessity to ensure his sons would have a future on the farm.  With more value-added processes planned for the months ahead, Old Dock Farm expects the workforce of four part-time and three full-time positions to grow by several more full-time positions.

MATTHEW AND JOHN, the fourth generation of Hardys involved in the day-to-day operations at the Old Dock Farm, work alongside their parents John and Louise, as they manufacture and package organic tofu and soy nuts.

Old Dock Farm
Hardy Organic Products & Maritime Soycraft
558 Dock Road
Alberton, PE   C0B 1B0
Phone: (902) 853-4014
Fax: (902) 853-4344

jshardy@pei.sympatico.ca
http://www.soyhardy.com