Creston Valley 'Eat Locally Grown' Campaign

In order to increase awareness of abundant local food resources, the Creston Valley Food Action Coalition is working to educate valley citizens and visitors as to where they may find such bounty. Initiatives include:

• Farm Fresh Guide. This guide currently lists more than 60 local food producers and related organizations with farmgate or market garden sales. The guide is available in print format at the public library, Visitor's Information Centre, bookstores, real estate and other offices throughout Creston. We continue to look for new spots to make the guide available.

• Our web site: www.crestonfarmfresh.ca. This web site houses information about the Coalition's local food action initiatives as well as searchable and printable formats of the Farm Fresh Guide.

• Eat Locally Grown signage. The brightly-coloured sign pictured at right will be displayed at each Farm Fresh venue. We are also working on getting it into restaurants and grocery stores where local produce is available. As this sign gains recognition, people will begin looking for it, knowing that it signifies fresh locally produced food. In order to achieve this recognition, we ask all Farm Fresh Guide members to display the sign prominently. This will ensure its success as it draws people to your farmgate.

• Seasonal Recipes from the Creston Valley. This cookbook is made up of recipes that feature locally-grown ingredients. It is available in print and online formats.

• Newspaper column. A new column in the Creston Valley Advance, Thought for Food, seeks to educate readers on the value of eating locally grown. Semi-monthly, Advance readers can learn about the economic, environmental, social, cultural and physical benefits of supporting local agriculture.

• Free advertising. The CVFAC works diligently to raise funds that will ensure the continuation of its efforts including the Farm Fresh Guide, Eat Locally Grown campaign, and other initiatives that promote our local producers.

• Support. The members of the Coalition are committed to supporting local producers in their efforts to bring healthy, sustainable products to market. We appreciate that farmers are the foundation of the food chain and understand that our success is based on their success. The Coalition meets monthly to discuss and act on local issues related to the growing, eating and sharing of food. Producers are invited to join these meetings or bring their concerns to us so that we become informed and can take steps to improve food security for all.