Shayne Wright, founder of the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! campaign, shows off the map that showcases the numerous farms and retailers who have got involved in the campaign over the past two years. (Keith Lacey photo)
The Town of Osoyoos has been put on the map – literally – in an effort to promote growing and buying locally grown food.
Shayne Wright, the founder of the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! campaign made a presentation to Town of Osoyoos council Monday detailing how successful the program has become across the Okanagan Valley in only its second year.
Wright has helped produce a detailed map and guide that promotes a wide range of fresh, locally produced food.
Food producers from Osoyoos and area and the Similkameen Valley were added to this year’s map, said Wright.
Whether consumers choose to buy direct from the farms or from retail outlets listed, the map enables buyers to find delicious food and support local producers at the same time, said Wright.
Besides a detailed map that showcases dozens of local farms and retail outlets, the map advertises numerous farms, tourist attractions, retail outlets and wineries spread across the Okanagan Valley.
There is also a detailed listing of 35 farms, orchards and food producers spread across the valley with details about their location and what services they offer to consumers.
The map was developed as a cost-effective direct marketing tool for farmers, local food processors and retailers, said Wright.
Sponsorship funds by local producers in the Okanagan Valley have helped pay for map production costs, including sales, design and printing, he said. After a successful first year in 2013, where more than 8,000 maps were produced, that number increased to more than 10,000 in 2014 and 35 farms are listed, up from 27 last year, he said.
Having farmers and producers from the Osoyoos area and Similkameen Valley now means the entire Okanagan Valley is covered on the map, he said.
A new promotional video has just been completed and is available for viewing on the website at www.buylocalbc.ca.
The feedback onthe map has been overwhelmingly positive, he said.
“We did have several new customers saying they discovered our farm this year because of your map. The easy to use map is great to have on hand at the farm as well. We were able to point people to other farms if they were looking for produce we didn’t have,” said the owners of Thunder Hill Farms.
The goal is to gradually raise the annual print volume and distribute the map to more people in 2015 and refine the website and mobile device access, said Wright.
“We want to register more farms, with a goal of 50 farms next year and more than 80 farms by our fifth edition,” he said.
Coun. C. J. Rhodes, who has been an outspoken advocate in Osoyoos to try and get local residents to buy local, said he’s thrilled Wright has worked so hard to offer this service to try and assist farmers and local business owners across the Okanagan Valley.
“I’ve ranted for hours about the benefits of shopping local,” said Rhodes.
White said he’s very excited about the response from farm owners and retailers about the map and he will continue to promote food and products grown in this region.
“Visitors are seeking an authentic experience when it comes to food and wine … and they want to have it happen near where it was grown and produced,” he said.
Mayor Stu Wells said he’s very pleased Osoyoos and area farmers and those from the Similkameen have been added to the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! campaign.
Coun. Sue McKortoff told Wright she has been heavily involved with the Osoyoos Market on Main for more than a decade and said vendors at this year’s market were very pleased with the map that has been produced and its message to sponsor and support local farmers.
Coun. Michael Ryan said the issue of food security has been an important one to him for a long time and he’s very supportive of any program that promotes supporting local farmers.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
