By Dori Modney

Province developing new label for made-in-Alberta food products

Jul 12, 2021 | 5:52 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. –– The province of Alberta is supporting economic recovery by helping farmers more easily sell and market their products and there’s a good reason for it.

Food and beverage processing is one of the largest employers in our province’s manufacturing sector, with about 28,000 workers and record food manufacturing sales of $15.5 billion last year. Also, local food sales in direct-to-consumer channels such as farmers’ markets and farm retail, have more than doubled since 2008 and exceeded $1.2 billion last year.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen introduced the new Made in Alberta, by Albertans label at the Millarville Farmers’ Market last weekend and noted it was a work in progress. Dreeshen understands farming, since he farms himself near Pine Lake, and is a strong supporter of agricultural societies.

“We want to make sure e get it right, so we are going to launch a consultation in the coming weeks, to make sure that farmers’ markets, grocery stores, retailers, primary producers, and vendors know that the program is there for them and that it doesn’t get abused. I think Albertans will see a made in Alberta logo and they’ll say – I want to support a local farmer, a local vendor because I know that supports a farm family close to where I live and I think that’s why people want to make that right choice and vote with their wallet.”

Dreeshan also highlighted a Farmers’ Market review and red tape reduction “Operators and farmers’ markets have been asking for a ‘red tape’ reduction so that we could have less government in Farmers’ Markets and something that we’ve done is remove the minimum number of market hours for a farmers market to operate. We’ve also reduced the minimum number of market days per year from five to ten and reduced the number of average vendors from five to ten as well. Also, we’ve removed the requirement to post food safety training certificates at the farmers’ market – instead, the certificates simply need to be kept on file at the market.”

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The new “Made in Alberta, by Albertans” label that farmers and processors will soon be able to use on their products, will help shoppers quickly identify food made in our province when choosing an item at their local farmers’ market or grocery store. Watch for the Made in Alberta, by Albertans label on Alberta products in the future.

Dreeshan notes, “Alberta is known as a place that produces safe, high-quality food. These days, people want to know where their food comes from, and this will make it a lot easier for them to choose food from Alberta. When you buy Alberta food, you are supporting another Alberta family. It keeps money in your community and in our province.”

Consultations with farmers, processors and consumers will be held this summer to finalize the proposed label and prepare rules for its use on different types of food products. As well, the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers received an $81,000 Canadian Agricultural Partnership grant to support an online local food directory.