This tiny N.S. community was frustrated with big-box grocers. So they opened their own store

There were so many reasons that some people in the tiny, rural community of Bear River, N.S., in the Annapolis Valley were growing frustrated with their grocery options at large, mainstream grocers.

“The prices are, you know, inhumane,” said Bear River resident Drew Tozer. “You're getting produce that has been rotting on the trucks for 48 hours … It's like half-spoiled because Nova Scotia is at the end of the food supply chain.”

Another resident, Amy Rubin said, “You see your bill, like, oh, is that how much money I'm really giving this giant grocery store that doesn't seem to be holding our best interests in mind?”

Over the past few years, there has been a backlash against some big-box grocery stores due to rising prices, questions about labelling , weighing practices , price discrimination , anti-competitive conduct and security at some of the country's biggest chains.