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Dynamic sisters behind Apple Annie's dubbed 'local heroes'

Nancy and Susan Willsey have mastered minimizing waste over the past 12 years and earned recognition from Sustainable Orillia

Sustainable Orillia, from time to time, will contribute stories about 'local heroes' to recognize the efforts that individuals, businesses and organizations in the Orillia area are making — sustainable practices that, when carried out consistently over time, make a positive difference. Today, they shine the spotlight on Apple Annie's Café and Shop.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put extra pressure on all of Orillia’s bars and restaurants.

Reduced patronage, additional public health requirements, and increased costs are not a profitable economic formula, and it would be easy, and understandable, for many to forego some of the extra steps associated with sustainability. To their credit, the overwhelming number of Orillia restaurants have stayed the course.

For example, Apple Annie’s Café and Shop has continued to honour their long-time commitment to sustainable practices through these challenging times.

Located at 101 Mississaga St. E., Apple Annie’s Café and Shop is one of Orillia’s favourite destinations for great food, specialty foods, kitchenware, gifts and, of course, fudge.

All is served up in a warm, eclectic space featuring local art and great service. Most of the cafe’s menu is made ‘right from scratch’ on-site, where co-owners Nancy and Susan Willsey have mastered minimizing waste over the past 12 years.

“We’ve always practised recycling and composting – right from the start,” says Nancy. “Waste is separated at the source during food preparation, and everyone on the team is engaged and trained on how to do it properly.”

Waste and compost bins are organized, labeled and adjacent to every workstation. In addition to their composting efforts, Apple Annie’s take-out packaging is compostable and, prior to the need for COVID-19 precautions, those bringing in their own coffee mugs and/or take-out containers received a cash discount at the counter.

The tableware in the café is all local pottery, and the majority of the shop inventory is Canadian-made, further reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Like most of their business counterparts, the Willseys have had to adapt their business model since the onset of the pandemic. For example, the discount for bringing your refillable coffee cup has had to go for now.

However, they have steadfastly maintained their sustainability practices. Before the pandemic, their green and blue bins were lined up at the back entranceway, a strong, visual testimony to their commitment to recycling and composting.

Since the pandemic — with the imaginative help of their neighbours, Bill and Linda Tiffin — Apple Annie’s bins are now tucked away behind a white picket fence, adding some character and providing much-needed space for more patio seating outside their rear entrance.

Although it adds more steps to their process, both Apple Annie’s customers and the environment continue to be winners with this new arrangement.

Before the pandemic, Susan and Nancy had even considered partnering with a local farmer to divert some of their composting for pig food.

“It’s a little extra work, but I’d rather have it go there than even into composting,” says Nancy. Susan adds, ”A goat would be good, too!”

The idea, for now, is on hold as current business conditions prevent the sisters from pursuing this and other innovative ideas to reduce and redirect waste from all areas of their operation.

We’re sure that, when the dust settles and we emerge into a post-COVID-19 world, they’ll be flexing their imaginations once again.

So, hats off to local heroes, Susan and Nancy Willsey, for their long-term commitment to best environmental processes. And who knows, someday soon there may be a very lucky pig nearby, playing his or her part in further reducing waste from Apple Annie’s operations.

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Sustainable Orillia is always looking for individuals, businesses or organizations who prioritize sustainable practices as part of their everyday routines. If you have a story suggestion, please email it to [email protected]. We look forward to sharing more real-life examples of local heroes whose initiatives support long-term sustainability — one step at a time, one day at a time.


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