Newfoundland care-packages, a taste of home

Ashley Porter, is the creator of ‘Loves It’, the website that provides a selection of treats and tastes of home, that a ‘Newfoundlander’ who’s ‘away’, can enjoy and feel a little more closely connected to the home so many of them love so much.

The Atlantic province of Newfoundland and Labrador was historically a ‘have-not’ province in Canada. Not anymore with the discovery of off-shore oil. Despite the changing fortunes of the province, many people, especially the young, still leave what they affectionately call ‘the Rock’, to make a living elsewhere.

“I’m hoping Newfoundlanders living away from home are going to get it.”

Many Newfoundlanders worked in Alberta in the heady days of oil production, and a care package from Ashley Porter would have been a welcome sight. For those still employed, or living elsewhere, there’s an opportunity to sign up and receive some local products one can only get in Newfoundland.

“Holyrood studios has done some prints for us, Newfoundland Seasonings has spices, the jam lady at the farmer’s market has jams made for us … A pretty wide range of products,” Porter said. “The whole point of this is to support local business. It’s a local business supporting local businesses,” she said in an interview with CBC Radio in St. John’s.

Porter said the boxes, which run around $35 Cdn, make great gifts.  She launched her website last Thursday and was surprised with the response. She received about 20 subscribers within the first 24 hours. A subscription for a package a month, runs about $28 Cdn.

“I’m hoping Newfoundlanders living away from home are going to get it. We have some British.Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta subscriptions so far.” Porter open to suggestions when it comes to future products.

“Anything that is mailable, we want any local business, crafter or artisan to come in contact with us and get their product out there,” she said.