Launch of Consumer Portion of Select Nova Scotia
Nova Scotians will be encouraged to buy locally grown and produced food in the coming weeks as Select Nova Scotia marketing activities begin.
The consumer awareness component of the Select Nova Scotia program was introduced today, Aug. 22, in Bible Hill by Premier Rodney MacDonald and Agriculture Minister Brooke Taylor.
"The government is committed to promoting awareness, increasing consumer knowledge and encouraging Nova Scotians to buy local agri-food products," said Premier MacDonald. "We are investing in our agriculture industry and our provincial economy."
The Select Nova Scotia program was introduced on July 5 with a logo unveiling and a website introduction.
The logo represents three elements of agriculture: green for the colour of crops, blue for the province's clean, crisp water and a yellow sun representing energy, hope and vitality.
"Nova Scotia produces delicious, high-quality food and it is important that we get the good news about locally produced food to consumers," said Mr. Taylor. "Over the next few weeks Nova Scotians will be seeing and hearing a lot more about Select Nova Scotia and the benefits of buying local."
Beginning on Saturday, Aug. 25, a Select Nova Scotia flyer will be included in daily and weekly newspapers, radio advertisements will be heard on stations across the province, billboards and bus shelter advertisements will be located in some communities.
The Select Nova Scotia website, www.selectnovascotia.ca, offers consumers information on events, local food companies, where to buy local products and recipes using Nova Scotia products. The logo is also available for industry and marketplace participants to download and use.
The government has made changes in the past year to support local-product purchases in provincial health care and justice institutes. All dairy products; 90 per cent of processed dairy, such as butter and yogurt; 60 per cent of fresh produce and up to 80 per cent of fresh produce from storage; and 60 per cent of beef, chicken and pork purchased are produced locally.
A Minister's Advisory Committee on Buy Local continues to support government on buy-local initiatives across the province.