Submitted. Home to an abundance of locally owned and operated
agrifood businesses, British Columbians are treated to diverse, local
flavours all year round in Abbotsford. The community produces a
delicious array of innovative products for everyone to enjoy.
The provincial government’s Buy Local Program is providing up to
$83,400 of funding combined to two local companies in Abbotsford. The
program is enabling B.C. farmers, fishers and producers to expand their
business and reach larger audiences to increase sales through marketing
and advertising campaigns.
Grown, processed and packaged locally in Abbotsford, Snowcrest Foods
distributes frozen fruits and berries throughout the province, offering
British Columbians the freshest flavours of produce. The company is
promoting their new BOOM! Smoothie Fast Pack product to help save time
when making healthy smoothies. The product is a mix of frozen fruit and
vegetables, loaded with protein, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and
dietary fibre, created for the whole family to enjoy.
Taves Family Farm Applebarn grows apples and produces cold-pressed and
pasteurized cider and other specialty products. The farm is a popular
destination for apple u-pick, offering several varieties of fresh local
apples from the Fraser Valley and the signature Jonagold. Visitors are
encouraged to hang out at the Applebarn and enjoy the beautiful
landscape in Abbotsford. As a family owned and operated local business,
Taves Family Farm believes in local farm to fork – giving families in
B.C. the freshest flavours right from their own backyard.
The Buy Local program has received $8 million in B.C. government
funding since 2012 to increase sales of locally grown and processed
agrifood and seafood products within the province.
The B.C. government’s Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan
supports the building of domestic markets and maintaining a secure food
supply. The plan is a component of the BC Jobs Plan, and the roadmap to
leading the agrifoods sector to becoming a $15-billion-a-year industry
by 2020.
The provincial government’s Buy Local program is administered by the
Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia. Applications are
available at: http://iafbc.ca/funding-opportunities/buy-local/