Nova Scotians Taste Local Food Advantage

Note: A list of locations offering sampling events follows this release.

Nova Scotians can visit their nearest grocery store or farmers market for a taste of local, seasonal foods.

During the next week, many retail outlets are offering free samples of Nova Scotia foods. Consumers are encouraged to try the samples and pick up recipes and product information.

"This is a great opportunity for Nova Scotians to sample delicious Nova Scotia produce in the middle of winter," said Agriculture Minister John MacDonell.

The tastings are part of the Winter Fresh campaign to raise consumer awareness about locally grown foods and help support a more competitive and profitable agriculture industry.

"Through our Choose Atlantic program, Sobeys is proud to be a leader in bringing locally grown food to our customers in Nova Scotia," said Brian Morrissey, general manager of Sobeys Atlantic. "Local is more than fresh strawberries in the summer and corn in the fall. Participating in the Winter Fresh campaign will showcase many great Nova Scotia-grown foods that are available in our stores year-round."

The Winter Fresh campaign also includes sponsorship of Select Nova Scotia Community Suppers across the province and a partnership with the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia's popular Dine Around program.

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, sampling events and which foods are in season and where to find them can be found at www.selectnovascotia.ca .

Following is a list of locations offering sampling events:

Thursday, Feb. 23:
Lunenburg Farmers Market, Lunenburg Community Centre, 9:30 a.m.: Sampling of curried coconut carrot soup

Saturday, Feb. 25:
Wolfville Farmers Market, DeWolfe Building, 24 Elm Ave., Wolfville, 9:00 a.m.: Sampling of German Pumpkin Soup, South Western Smoked Sausage Soup, Abuela's Hamburger Soup, Nova Scotia Winter Vegetable Soup with Coconut Milk and Winter Minestrone Soup with Tofu

• Yarmouth Farmers Market, 15 Hawthorne St. Lower Level, 11 a.m., Sampling of Nova Scotia Winter Vegetable and Beef Soup

Tasting events featuring Nova Scotia Honeycrisp Apple Slaw, Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Smoothie or Nova Scotia Rainbow Carrots Sautéed with Fennel are hosted between noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the following Sobeys stores:

• 268 Baker Dr., Dartmouth
• 2 Forest Hills Dr., Dartmouth
• 6 Primrose St., Dartmouth
• Penhorn Mall, 535 Portland St., Dartmouth
• Panavista, 612 Highway #7, Westphal, Dartmouth
• 151 Church St., Antigonish
• 961 Bedford Highway, Bedford
• 287 Lacewood Dr., Clayton Park, Halifax
• Elmsdale Shopping Centre, Hwys. 102 and 214, Elmsdale
• 2651 Windsor St., Halifax
• 1120 Queen St., Halifax
• 38 George St., New Glasgow
• 9256 Commercial St., New Minas
• 239 West River Rd., Pictou
• 622 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury
• 272B Prince St., Sydney
• Cape Breton Shopping Plaza, 45 Keltic Dr., Sydney River
• Fundy Trail Mall, 68 Robie St., Truro
• 3650 Hammonds Plains Rd., Upper Tantallon
• Fort Edward Shopping Mall, 50 Empire Ln., Windsor