June 28, 2010
Bite into B.C.'s Summer Harvest & Support Local Farmers

KAMLOOPS – All of the fresh food, wine, spirits and microbrews you need for a summer picnic or barbeque are available at British Columbia’s local farms and markets.

“Here in the Thompson Valleys, we can feast on a wide range of fruit, vegetables and meats including Aveley lambs from Vavenby, and healthy grass fed beef, farm-raised trout and many cured delicacies,” says Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger.

“As Parliamentary Secretary to the Ranching Task Force, I strongly believe in supporting our local food producers,” says Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake. “As you’re thinking about firing up the barbeque this Canada Day, remember to check out what local farms have to offer.”

The agri-food industry is an important contributor to the provincial economy with more than 225 food commodities produced in B.C., totalling over $22 billion annually in consumer sales and supporting over 305,000 jobs.

Farmers in B.C. are able to grow a wide variety of food crops, from grains to vegetables and berries, due to climatic conditions in the province.  During summer and into the fall season, harvests from these widely varied local crops are available at markets and grocery stores across the province. 

There are more than 130 farmers markets in B.C.  Together they contribute more than $118 million a year to local economies.

B.C. is also home to 175 wineries and more than 700 vineyards that annually produce approximately 15 million litres of wine.

Sales of B.C. grown food, including grains, vegetables, fruits, livestock and other crops totalled more than $2.3 billion in 2009.  B.C. leads the nation in sales of finfish aquaculture, blueberries, sweet cherries, apricots, raspberries and farmed clams. We rank second to Ontario in the production of floriculture, nursery products, green house tomatoes, greenhouse peppers, greenhouse cucumbers, mushrooms, grapes, apples and most soft tree fruits.

To find your local farms, visit www.gov.bc.ca/al or http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/ and click on the Market Finder tab to find a farmers’ market in your area.

Visit Kevin’s website at www.kevinkruegermla.bc.ca

Visit Terry’s website at www.terrylakemla.bc.ca

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