B.C. food processors, farmers to step up marketing efforts
By Food in Canada magazine staff
Business Operations Food Trends British ColumbiaConsumers will learn more about the foods available to them with the help of an investment from the B.C. government
Vancouver – Consumers in B.C. will learn more about the food products available to them as food processors and farmers will be stepping up their marketing efforts.
And the province is helping with an investment of $2 million. Don McRae, B.C.’s agriculture minister, made the announcement.
The aim of the funding is to allow businesses and organizations launch or expand their own marketing campaigns.
Funding
The province expects the funding will be particularly helpful to small-scale producers and businesses looking to promote their products.
Dave Eto, president of the B.C. Food Processors Association president, says the initiative is welcome news.
“Not only will it create value for our small-scale members,” he says, “but it will also help food manufacturers and retailers access opportunities to stimulate market growth, while helping to educate consumers on the origin of their food.”
Businesses and organizations will be able to apply for matching funding from the provincial
Don McRae, B.C. agriculture minister, addresses members of the food industry.
government for projects that promote local foods.
Projects could include in-store promotions, social media or web campaigns, smartphone apps, traditional advertising, on-product labelling and food-tourism maps. Producers, stores, farmers markets, restaurants, processors and industry associations all will be eligible to participate.
Of the $2 million, the Investment Agriculture Foundation will administer $1.5 million and the British Columbia Agriculture Council will administer $500,000.
Applications for either fund will be reviewed by an Industry Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from B.C.’s diverse farming, manufacturing, seafood, restaurant and retail sector.
Final approval will come from a panel with representation from the Ministry of Agriculture, the B.C. Agriculture Council and the Investment Agriculture Foundation.
Applications and program information will be posted at: www.gov.bc.ca/agri/buylocal.html
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