New Brunswick’s provincial government will put $210,000 into a new campaign to encourage residents to buy local foods.
Agriculture Minister Ron Ouelette today announced the Agri-Food Market Development Program, which will accept funding applications from “agri-food businesses” to help them boost their profiles among consumers within the province.
- Applications for funds will be accepted under one or more of six elements in the program, the province explained:
- road signage, to direct customers to an on-farm market, farmer’s market or sites where New Brunswick agri-food is sold;
- promotion and advertising related to New Brunswick agri-food;
- helping commercial farms diversify into agri-tourism;
- product development, including market launches for new products;
- setting up marketing groups or organizations, and helping them build their capacity; and
- broader strategic initiatives.
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People or businesses setting up agri-food enterprises in New Brunswick are eligible, as are provincial commodity groups or marketing groups selling New Brunswick products. Businesses that partner with New Brunswick farms or agri-food businesses to promote local food products are also eligible.
The program also sets up a new market development advisory committee of 11 farmers and marketers, including conventional and organic crop and livestock producers, dairy and horticulture producers, processors and reps from both Co-op Atlantic and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors.
The agriculture and aquaculture department noted that it’s also working with other departments on buy-local initiatives, such as government purchases of New Brunswick foods, school fruit and vegetable programs, promotional signage and agri-tourism projects.
The department also said it will work to “facilitate the re-establishment” of a provincial farmers’ markets association and look at ways to build up the “NB Grown” marketing program.
