Nova Scotians will be better able to connect with consumers and offer fresh, local products with provincial investment in four food direct-marketing initiatives.
Agriculture Minister John MacDonell announced $430,984 in funding today, Dec. 22, to help strengthen local food direct marketers’ infrastructure and sustainability.
“We are investing in farm and farmers’ market businesses that promote the variety and quality of food Nova Scotia has to offer,” said Mr. MacDonell. “I am pleased that farmers and other food producers are initiating new, innovative business ventures to bring their foods more directly to consumers.”
The funding is provided through the Direct Marketing Community Development Trust Fund, which aims to increase consumer access to local products and help agriculture businesses sell more directly to consumers.
Funding will allow:
– Meadow Brook Meat Market, in Berwick, Kings Co., to increase opportunities to supply unique pork products to local consumers
– Farmers’ Market of Nova Scotia Co-operative of Halifax to adopt a program to support business development and training for the farmers’ market sector.
– Meadowbrook Farm in Tatamagouche, Colchester Co. to upgrade
its meat shop to provide opportunities for consumers to experience local products.
– Wolfville Farmers’ Market, in Wolfville, Kings Co., to develop a long-term, fixed location that will accommodate growing popularity and increase opportunities to access and market local food products.
“These businesses are an integral part of Nova Scotia’s agriculture community,” said Mr. MacDonell. “These projects were chosen for their strong business plans and benefits for the agri-food industry in Nova Scotia.”
The funds are provided through the Community Development Trust Fund, a $34.9-million program established in 2008 by the federal government to help communities and sectors experiencing economic challenges.
The priorities of the Community Development Trust Fund are to enhance sustainable prosperity, diversify economic and trade opportunities, improve productivity, innovation and training, assist communities with transition planning, and help workers facing adjustment challenges. More information on the Community Development Trust of Nova Scotia is available at www.gov.ns.ca/econ/cdtrust .
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Nova Scotians will be better able to connect with consumers
after funding was approved for four food direct-marketing
initiatives.
Agriculture Minister John MacDonell announced today
(December 22nd) $430,984 in funding to help strengthen
infrastructure and sustainability for local food direct
marketers.
The four projects receiving funding are: Meadow Brook Meat
Market in Berwick, Kings County; Farmers’ Market of Nova Scotia
Co-operative of Halifax; Meadowbrook Farm in Tatamagouche,
Colchester County and Wolfville Farmers’ Market in Wolfville,
Kings County.
Mr. MacDonell says he is pleased that farmers and other food
producers are initiating new, innovative business ventures to
bring foods more directly to consumers.
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Media Contact: Susan Mader Zinck
Department of Agriculture
902-424-8963
E-mail: madersd@gov.ns.ca
