News release

Communities Celebrating Local Food in February

Agriculture

NOTE: A list of Select Nova Scotia Community Suppers follows this release.

Nova Scotians will get a taste of local, seasonal foods when the Winter Fresh campaign shines the spotlight on delicious ingredients available during the winter months.

"We live in a province that offers families many opportunities to enjoy a variety of delicious local foods in the winter months," said Agriculture Minister John MacDonell. "When Nova Scotians support farms and retailers by choosing local products, they're helping to create good jobs and grow the economy."

The Winter Fresh campaign begins with 12 Select Nova Scotia Community Suppers being held in schools, church halls and community centres across the province. This is the third year the province has supported the suppers, which are open to the public and part of the Select Nova Scotia campaign.

"It's important for people to see their neighbours not just as farmers, but as representatives of the industry who are interested in promoting the well-being of the agricultural community," said Rupert Jannasch, a farmer and member of the Hants County Federation of Agriculture, which will host a supper Feb. 4. "Appreciation of the value of farming as an occupation in our changing culture is strengthened when we sit down and share food grown and produced within the local community."

The Winter Fresh campaign is again partnering with the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia to include the popular Dine Around event where Nova Scotia restaurants feature multi-course, local food-inspired meals at a fixed price.

"Dine Around has been a successful program for us to promote the use of local food over the last number of years," said Gordon Stewart, executive director, Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia. "Prix-fixe menus in restaurants across the province featuring local food-inspired menus allow more Nova Scotians to get out and discover what our chefs and cooks have prepared."

There are also a number of fruit and vegetable samplings planned in grocery stores around the province to allow Nova Scotians to taste the local food advantage.

Mr. MacDonell said the Winter Fresh campaign will raise consumer awareness about locally grown foods and help support a more competitive and profitable agriculture industry.

Select Nova Scotia was developed to create partnerships with food producers, processors, retailers, food service and consumers and to promote the sale and consumption of Nova Scotia grown and produced food. More information on the Winter Fresh campaign, Select Nova Scotia Community Suppers and which foods are in season and where to find them can be found at www.selectnovascotia.ca .

Following is a list of Select Nova Scotia Community Suppers:

Saturday, Feb. 4:

  • Windhorse Farm Community Supper, Windhorse Farm, 132 Sarty Rd., New Germany, 5:30 p.m.
  • Hants County Federation of Agriculture Community Supper, Brooklyn Firehall, 995 Hwy. 215, Brooklyn, Hants Co., 6 p.m.
  • Downtown Sydney Farmers Market Community Supper, St. Andrew's United Church, 40 Bentinck St., Sydney, 5 p.m.
  • St. Margaret's Bay Shambhala Centre and St. Luke's United Church Community Supper, Shining Waters Marina, 148 Nautical Way, Tantallon, 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 10:

  • St. Luke's Anglican Church Community Supper, St. Luke's Church Hall, 340 St. George St., Annapolis Royal, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11:

  • Lockview High School Community Breakfast, St. John's United Church, 3360 Hwy. 2, Fall River, 9 a.m.
  • John Calvin Christian Reformed Church Community Supper, John Calvin Christian Reformed Church, 69 Glenwood Dr., Truro, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 12:

  • Tatamagouche Farmers Market Community Supper, Tatamagouche Center, 259 Loop Route 6, Tatamagouche, 4:30 p.m.
  • West Dalhousie Community Hall Association Community Supper, West Dalhousie Community Hall, 4868 West Dalhousie Rd., Bridgetown, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18:

  • Sun Valley Riders 4H Club Community Supper, Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Hwy. 201, Centerlea, Annapolis Co., 5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 19:

  • First Chester Basin Beavers and Cubs Community Lunch, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 88, 25 Hwy. 12, Chester Basin, 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 29:

  • Halifax Seaport Farmers Market Community Supper, Seaport Farmers Market, 1209 Marginal Rd., Halifax, 6 p.m.

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