The Portage Rotary Club's 41st annual vegetable sale wrapped up Saturday afternoon, and the final tally put a smile on the organizers' faces. Club president Preston Meier tells us they're excited.

"We've had a great group of volunteers that have helped out," he says. "It's been really, really good. Sales have exceeded last year -- we're about $6000 ahead of where we were last year, so we certainly want to thank the community for their support."

Meier says the total's around $34,000, and thinks several factors worked in their favour.

"We think it's maybe a couple of things," he says. "I think one is the location change. This is probably a little bit more centred, a little bit more focused, visible as well. We also know that people look forward to this event every year. Of course, it helps out the club, all of the net dollars go right back into the community."

Meier says the club's grateful to a lot of people for the success, starting with the community at large.

"We certainly want to thank Clarity Vision for the use of their lot," he says. "I think the location this year has been really good. And of course, we want to thank our suppliers, Mayfair Farms, Connery Riverdale Farms, and Jamor Farms, because we know without them, this event wouldn't happen at all. So, on behalf of the committee, and they've done a great job of it, and all the volunteers, we want to thank everybody for being able to come out and support it."