A third-generation family business that has been operating in Pitt Meadows since the 1930s is the latest recipient to receive 'Buy Local' program funding.

Hopcott Farms is receiving a total of $16,883. The funding will be used for several projects with the goal of increasing awareness and sales of local beef in the Lower Mainland.

Hopcott Farms has diversified over the years and their business now includes a beef feedlot, retail meat store, corn maze, cranberry bogs and small-scale berry production. The 'buy local' funds will assist in hosting a meet the rancher day at the retail store, presence at the upcoming Eat Vancouver trade show, beef education events and various agritourism activities to be held at Hopcott Farms, and local beef promotion through print and radio advertising.

In February 2013, Hopcott Farms was recognized with an award for their innovative Harvest Time Barn Education Centre that is located at the farm's corn maze. The award was presented by the North American Farm Direct Marketing Association in the Best New Idea category.

The harvest time exhibit is an interactive experience where children can learn where their food comes from by assisting with bringing in the harvest from activity stations including dairy, corn, honey and apples. The children then deliver their harvest to the farmers market.

The 'Buy Local' program offers successful applicants matching funds up to $100,000 to launch or expand local food marketing campaigns.

Building the local market for B.C. foods is a key commitment of government's Agrifoods Strategy, a component of the BC Jobs Plan, to lead the agrifoods sector growth into a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017.

The provincial government's 'Buy Local' program is administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.

Quotes:

Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick -

"Almost all of our farms in British Columbia are family owned and operated, and Hopcott Farms is a great example of this tradition. When we support our family farms, we get fresh and local foods while also helping build strong and sustainable communities."

Hopcott Farms community liaison Sarah Hopcott -

"The Hopcott family and our staff are honoured to be part of the B.C. Buy Local Program. We are passionate about fresh, local foods. We look forward to helping connect people with fantastic B.C. products from apples, to beef, to zucchini and everything in between."

Quick Facts:

• In 2011, B.C. had more than 540,000 cattle and calves spread across nearly 4,000 ranches and dairy farms.
• The cattle industry produced 107.3 million kilograms (236.5 million pounds) of beef at a farm-gate value of $206 million.

Learn More:

B.C. Buy Local program: http://www.gov.bc.ca/agri/buylocal.html

Hopcott Farms: http://www.hopcottmeats.ca/

Keep up to date on the latest in B.C. foods and beverages: https://www.facebook.com/FoodsBC

Contacts:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (cell)

Sarah Hopcott
Hopcott Farms
604 807-0069