As a serial entrepreneur, Lindsey Irwin understands not only the importance of supporting local small business, but just how difficult it can be to make connections while simultaneously running a business. That’s why her business The Lakefield Pantry is participating in Peterborough County’s agricultural programs.
An old-fashioned groceteria, The Lakefield Pantry has been a staple in the Township of Selwyn for 45 years, stocking a range of local fare from beef, breads, cheeses, maple syrup, treats, and bulk foods to home and body products. Irwin, who purchased the business in 2025, is its third owner and is committed to continuing the shop’s legacy of supporting local suppliers.
“The second I opened the doors as an owner, the question I got asked from everybody was ‘Are you local?'” says Irwin, who is a Peterborough County native. “People really cared about this and wanted to know that I know the community and I know the farmers and makers and artisans.”
Also the founder of the successful social enterprise Old Jar Candle Co., Irwin knew it was important to keep this local focus and The Lakefield Pantry continues to maintain these relationships. Today, more than 90 per cent of all the store’s stock is sourced in Peterborough County.
“As a serial entrepreneur and owner of multiple businesses, my world doesn’t exist without local support — without a community of other businesses working in tandem,” says Irwin. “I think that’s the most important thing: supporting each other. That way the community can thrive, too.”
That’s why The Lakefield Pantry is participating in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, an initiative that aims to increase the capacity for local food distribution by connecting buyers with food producers in Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Through the project’s Green Circle Food Hub, The Lakefield Pantry will be able to source maple syrup, honey, jams and other pantry items from a range of local farmers all in one place.
“Since taking over the store, I barely have the time to be knocking on doors and trying to source or vet the quality of things,” Irwin points out. “It’s really hard once you’re actually working in your business to work on your business.”
The same applies to food producers, she adds.
“They’re busy because they’re farmers. They’re not sitting and staring at their phones waiting to hear from people. They’re taking care of their animals. So that in-between can make it a lot easier for us, and I like a seamless solution whenever I can find it.”
To further strengthen local connections, The Lakefield Pantry is also a member of the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh, an economic development program delivered by Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. The program provides a brand identity for local producers, a network for members to share and access resources, and an online database for buyers to find farmers.
The support and growth from these two programs has assured Irwin that Peterborough County is committed to supporting the local agriculture sector, from farmers to food retailers like The Lakefield Pantry, every step of the way.
“They are always checking in and making sure that we’re okay and we’re supported, and I appreciate that so much,” Irwin says. “Being part of their network where they share ideas and launch new programs and try new things — that’s invaluable.”
The Lakefield Pantry is located at 44 Queen Street in downtown Lakefield. For more information, visit lakefieldpantry.ca.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series celebrating the farmers, food producers, food retailers, and agri-tourism businesses that make The Kawarthas thrive, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
Agriculture is a key economic driver and a point of pride for Peterborough County, with local farms producing a wide variety of high-quality goods, from traditional crops and livestock to organic and specialty products, reflecting the strength and diversity of this vital sector. With a growing focus on sustainability, local food systems, agri-innovation, and agri-tourism, agriculture offers strong potential for growth and diversification.
The Local Advantage with Peterborough County series spotlights the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh and Kawartha Local Food Wholesale initiatives, which aim to strengthen connections from farm to table across our region.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
