Whether starting from scratch with holiday baking, or planning to pick up baked goods from a local store, British Columbians can choose to Buy BC this season and enjoy the bounty of the province’s agriculture sector.

“Baking and holiday goodies from local B.C. producers bring a special touch of home when celebrating this season,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “This year, reach for B.C. ingredients for all your baking needs!”

True Grain Bread, with bakery locations in Courtenay, Cowichan Bay and Summerland, are producing baked goods from locally sourced and milled B.C. grain flour. They work exclusively with certified organic B.C. grown grain, with a focus on ancient and heritage grains like Emmer, Khorasan, rye and red fife, and continuing in the tradition of old-world style baking.

Anita’s Organic Grain and Flour Mill also sells an assortment of grain flours, including gluten-free varieties, sourced and milled in B.C. Their products are sold in most grocery stores throughout the province, as well as out of their storefront in Chilliwack.

For those reaching for that special holiday treat or a ready-to-eat appetizer or meal, Tartine Tarts may have just what is needed. This Burnaby-based company started their business by providing B.C. grocery retailers with premium quality savory and sweet pastry products based on heritage recipes from their families. They have since expanded their offering of savoury pies and quiches, the ingredients for which they source from B.C. growers, farmers and ranchers.

All three B.C. companies are benefiting from the Buy BC Partnership program, which provides $2 million in cost-shared funding per year, over the next three years, for B.C. businesses marketing their products to a domestic audience.

The Buy BC Partnership program is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAFBC). True Grain Bread will receive up to $45,000, Anita’s Organic Grain and Flour Mill will receive up to $44,268 and Tartine Tarts will receive up to $14,350 in funding to help with their marketing efforts, including using the Buy BC logo on their products or promotional materials. 

Quotes:

Bruce Stewart, president, True Grain Bread —

“Once we realized the single biggest source of our greenhouse gas emissions was freight of grain, we got serious about finding neighbours to grow organic grain for us. We are trying to educate people about food miles and the difference we are making, and the Buy BC program is really helping us to get the word out.”

Geraldine Pelletier, Tartine Tarts Inc. —

“Buy BC support allows us to promote new products in our local market. Our local market supporters give us critical feedback that we need to keep us innovating and growing our business, and the business of our local suppliers.”

Learn More:

Buy BC: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/

True Grain Bread: http://www.truegrain.ca/

Anita’s Organic Grain and Flour Mill: https://anitasorganic.com/

Tartine Tarts: http://www.tartinetarts.ca/

IAFBC: http://iafbc.ca/buy-bc/cost-shared-funding/