Five Vancouver Island organizations are receiving more than $118,000 in Buy Local Program funding to assist with projects that will benefit the island economy.

The BC Salmon Marketing Council is receiving $60,700 to create a BC Wild Salmon promotional campaign. The council will promote the Pacific Salmon as the most iconic, delicious and nutritious natural food source. The multimedia campaign will provide consumers with information on the scrumptious selection of Pacific Salmon products available including fresh, fresh frozen, lox, roe, caviar, smoked, jerky, candied, maple smoked candy, and canned.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) will be increasing local consumer knowledge and consumption of the seafood products harvested in the T'aaq-wiihak fisheries. "T'aaq-wiihak" means fishing with permission of the Chiefs. Five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations will receive $25,000 total in Buy Local funds through the NTC. The T'aaq-wiihak fisheries harvest fresh seafood from the waters off the west coast of Vancouver Island and provide a high-quality product to local restaurants, processors and consumers.

The wait is almost over, with the doors at the Victoria Public Market at the Hudson opening for the first time on Sept. 14. The Victoria Downtown Public Market Society is receiving just over $19,800 to assist with marketing for the farmers and food producers at the year-round Public Market and Farmers' Market, ensuring their long-term viability at this local food destination.

The BC Salmon Farmers Association has received $7,500 to develop a handout for British Columbian families that informs them of the benefits of eating salmon as a healthy food choice. The pamphlet is available at events and festivals, and it also provides information on the salmon aquaculture industry and their farming procedures.

Sooke residents will be receiving additional information on the benefits of buying local as the Sooke Region Food Community Health Initiative (CHI) Society is receiving funding of $5,600. The society will conduct a consumer education campaign along with hosting a workshop for local farmers to assist them in business development and online marketing.

The Buy Local Program offers successful applicants matching funds up to $100,000 to launch or expand local food marketing campaigns as part of a $2-million B.C. government effort to promote B.C. foods.

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 Pat Pimm -

"British Columbia is Canada's most diverse farming province and these Vancouver Island projects proudly showcase that fact. With more than 200 commodities produced on the land and about 100 species of fish, shellfish and plants harvested from the sea, we have lots to offer."

"The recipients provide us with fresh and healthy local foods and are an integral part of Vancouver Island's economy. Their products give us even more reasons to shop local for B.C. foods."

Learn More:

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

BC Salmon Farmers Association: http://www.salmonfarmers.org/

BC Salmon Marketing Council: http://www.bcsalmon.ca/

Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council: http://www.nuuchahnulth.org/tribal-council/welcome.html

Sooke Region Food CHI Society: http://sookefoodchi.ca/

Victoria Public Market: http://www.victoriapublicmarket.com/

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

Media Contact:

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