FREDERICTON (GNB) – A new initiative is being launched today by the provincial government to promote local food and value-added products to both New Brunswickers and tourists.

The official launch at 6 p.m. today in Fredericton is the first in a series of events that will roll out across the province in conjunction with partners involved in all aspects of local food, including the processing sector, as well as agri-tourism and aqua-tourism.

“We have seen increasing consumer demand for local food, and interest in where our food comes from,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp. “This initiative will not only promote the wide variety of locally-produced food, but also make consumers aware of the impressive amount of value-added products produced in the province, and of the opportunities to visit where the food and products come from through agri-tourism and aqua-tourism.”

New Brunswick's cottage wine, seafood and dairy industries are the first to be featured during the launch, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Station, 380 York St., Fredericton. The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture and NB Liquor are co-hosting the event along with the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.

“For years, experiencing the fine foods that are unique to a region has been a strong draw for visitors coming to New Brunswick,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Trevor Holder. “The desire to experience first-hand what a cottage winery is like and to sample or purchase some local products has also been a draw for visitors. The department is raising the profile of our local wineries, spirit makers and agri-tourism products and experiences by adding a new Food and Wine section to the tourism consumer site.”

NB Liquor has also produced a new winery route brochure featuring the province’s 14 wineries.

“New Brunswick cottage producers continue to improve and innovate year after year, by offering new and exciting products from our own backyards,” said Daniel Allain, president and chief executive officer of NB Liquor. “I look forward to continuing our positive relationship with the industry.”

At the launch, well-known chef Alex Haun of Saint Andrews will be preparing his special recipe with oysters from Maison Beausoleil of Neguac. Haun is the featured chef on the NB tourism website this month.

Other participants include:

●    AAAtlantic of Caraquet salmon paté, which recently won the Salon International de l'Alimentation 2013 Grand Prize;
●    Wolfhead Smokers, Letang;
●    Acadian Sturgeon and Caviar, Carters Point;
●    Produits Belle Baie, Caraquet, whose Coldwater Shrimp recently received the Superior Taste Award from the International Taste & Quality Institute;
●    Fundy North Fisherman's Association, Saint Andrews (Community Supported Fisheries); and
●    Uncorked Wine Tours, Saint John.

Eight of New Brunswick's 14 wineries will attend:

●    Verger Belliveau Orchards, Memramcook;
●    Les Vins de l'Acadie, Saint-Édouard-de-Kent;
●    Motts Landing Vineyard, Cambridge-Narrows;
●    Richibucto River Wine Estate, Mundleville;
●    Waterside Farms Cottage Winery, Waterside;
●    Winegarden Estate Ldt. Winery & Distillery, Baie-Verte;
●    Dunhams Run Estate Winery and Meadery & Hops, Kingston Peninsula; and
●    Distillerie Fils du Roy, Petit-Paquetville.

Real Food Connections of Fredericton will be on hand with a wide selection of New Brunswick cheese.


08-05-13