Local Direct Marketing Vendors Receive Funding

Nova Scotians will have easier access to fresh food and sellers will be better able to connect with consumers thanks to funding for five food direct-marketing initiatives.

Agriculture Minister Mark Parent announced today, March 18, $1.267 million in funding to help strengthen local food direct marketers' infrastructure and sustainability.

"This investment complements the province's food marketing programs, Select Nova Scotia and Taste of Nova Scotia, by promoting the variety and quality of food Nova Scotia has to offer," said Mr. Parent. "We encourage farmers and other food producers to continue in innovative new business ventures to bring their foods more directly to consumers."

The funding aims to increase consumer access to local products and help agriculture businesses sell more directly to consumers.

Funding will allow:

• Taproot Farms in Port Williams, Kings Co., to launch a community-shared agriculture venture, build a commercial kitchen and roadside stand.
• Halifax Farmers' Market to further its goal of building a bigger, new facility to accommodate the market's growing popularity.
• O'Connell's Family Farm, in Upper Stewiacke, to upgrade its meat-cutting facility, and develop a stable location for the Stewiacke Valley Farmers' Market.
• Cape Breton Farmers' Market, in Sydney River, to renovate to better serve vendors and the public.
• Celtic Country Market, in Bras d'Or, to expand for value-added processing and marketing local products.

"These projects will help accelerate economic potential and development," said Mr. Parent. "They were chosen for their strong business plans and benefits for the agri-food industry in the province."