Shayne Wright, co-ordinator of the Buy Local BC Initiative, shows off the latest Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map that lists farmers and food businesses across the South Okanagan, including several here in Osoyoos. Wright made a presentation to Town of Osoyoos council on Monday detailing how the campaign and success of the maps continues to grow. A new map for farmers and food businesses in the Thompson and Shuswap regions was produced this past summer. (Keith Lacey photo)
A campaign to try and have residents across the Okanagan Valley commit to buying local fresh fruits and vegetables continues to grow.
Shayne Wright, co-ordinator of the Buy Local BC Initiative, made a presentation to Town of Osoyoos council on Monday to update them on the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! maps that list farmers across the Okanagan Valley who sell fresh fruits and vegetables to consumers.
“The maps were developed as a cost-effective direct marketing tool for farms and local food businesses,” said Wright. “We now have 10,000 Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Okanagan maps printed … and we have 48 farms listed in 2016, up from 27 in 2013.”
A half dozen of fruit and vegetable farmers from Osoyoos have purchased space on the map and there are several others from across the South Okanagan who sell their products at the popular Osoyoos Farmers Market, said Wright.
Anyone who pays the advertising rate to promote their farm or business on the map receives a complementary listing on the campaign website at www.buylocalokanagan.ca.
The goal to continue growing the program continues as a new map for the Thompson-Shuswap region was printed in 2016 and the response across these regions has been terrific, said Wright.
The Thompson Shuswap edition had 50 participants, including 25 farms, he said.
The goal for the Okanagan map is to add more farmers with a goal of 60 for 2017, so the campaign now requires a step to expand or redesign the current map to create space for additional participants, he said.
Sponsorship agreements are becoming more stable with each passing year, which is allowing for longer term planning of three to five years, he said.
The Town of Osoyoos has committed to spending $500 to support this campaign since 2013 and council voted unanimously on Monday to continue providing this level of support.
“Thank you once again for your ongoing support and sponsorship for this initiative, which contributes directly to the map production budget, including co-ordination, design, and printing costs,” he said. “This direct marketing tool serves both residents and tourists alike, by connecting local farms, retailers and restaurants with consumers.”
The new 2017 edition will cover the entire Okanagan Valley from Armstrong to Osoyoos, including the Similkameen Valley to Cawston and Keremeos.
The annual campaign includes the free valley-wide printed map showing locations of farms and advertisers, an online map and directory of participants, a parallel signage campaign for farms and food products, and the option to participate the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! booth at local events, said Wright.
The campaign’s Twitter account continues to gain subscribers and the organization is always working on new short videos featuring area farmers and participants, he said.
The map is organized by location, so the names of the districts and municipalities are included. Following this model, the names of the regional districts to organize the farm listings and the logos for sponsor municipalities are printed on the map cover.
Advertisers are charged a rate of $600 (less $100 discount by Feb. 5, 2017), which includes the cover logo space and a 1.5 by 3 inch ad space on the frame of the map page to promote local events or agricultural programs. Larger ad space is also available as an option.
Registration for next year’s map officially ends on March 31, 20l7, and the new edition launches by early July to start the 2017 season. If you’re interested in placing an advertisement in the 2017 map. You can contact Wright at (250) 869-7248.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
