Local food on the move

Star business columnist Dave Hall.

Photograph by: DAN JANISSE, The Windsor Star

Six local organizations have proclaimed next week as Look for Local - It's Worth It Week as a way of promoting local produce across the region.

Funded by a grant from the Ontario Market Investment Fund, the campaign is being organized by the agri-business sector committee of the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, Essex County Federation of Agriculture, Essex County Associated Growers, South Western Ontario Vintners Association and Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers.

"We want to keep the momentum going by keeping 'local' top of mind," said Joseph Byrne, acting chairman of the agri-business committee. "With the support of the region's municipalities our goal for this proclamation is to encourage consumers to look for local, buy local and taste local.

"There are so many ways individuals can support local by shopping at a farmer's market, choosing local over imported products in a retail store, visiting our wineries and restaurants that serve local products and by purchasing locally produced and processed products," said Byrne.

Chris Ryan, CEO of the local tourism organization, said the Grown Right Here Look for Local campaign sends a powerful message to consumers.

"From a tourism perspective, initiatives such as this local campaign are an important part of a travel experience," said Ryan. "Visitors want to experience food that reflects an area's rich culture and heritage and we can certainly deliver on that."

The grant, which was awarded in 2009 and again this year, is being used to position Windsor-Essex as one of the most productive agricultural regions in North America.

For more information on restaurants, producers, processors and local regional events, visit welookforlocal.ca or ecfa.ca.