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The B.C. government is supporting the local blueberry industry and is encouraging shoppers to do the same.
Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick announced $50,000 in funding from the provincial government’s Buy Local Program for the BC Blueberry Council.
The funding will be used to introduce a traditional advertising campaign with signs, displays, and in-store sampling to encourage British Columbians to buy their blueberries locally.
“When you buy fresh B.C. blueberries, you are supporting local agriculture and local farmers,” Letnick said. “The funding from the Buy Local Program will help the BC Blueberry Council thrive in a highly competitive market and put dollars back into the economy, while supporting communities and families in the industry.”
The advertising campaign will feature social media and radio ads, promotional flyers for customers, and a marketing campaign on BCLiving.ca to advertise the arrival of B.C. blueberries.
The BC Blueberry Council is a not-for-profit umbrella organization representing over 800 blueberry growers throughout the province. The blueberry season in B.C. runs from July until early October, and the berries are available frozen all year.
“The BC Blueberry Council is grateful of the support the buy Local Program is providing to our blueberry farmers. The blueberry season is a wonderful time of year to celebrate the efforts and hard work of our growers and enjoy all the benefits of these tasty treats,” said Debbie Etsell of the BC Blueberry Council.
The Buy Local Program supports B.C. blueberry farmers by offering an opportunity to grow and thrive in the competitive blueberry market. The program has received $6 million in provincial government funding since 2012 to increase the sales of locally grown and processed agrifood and seafood products within the province.
For more information about the local blueberry industry, visit the BC Blueberry Council website.
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