Elgin County’s guide to bringing home unbeatable flavours from local producers has evolved over the years, from a line drawing to a full-colour map/guide. In 2010 it was also rebranded with a new logo and the “Buy Local, Buy Fresh” name. On August 20th, the network launched a brand new interactive website version of the map, linked to individual farm pages, Facebook and Twitter.
The new Buy Local, Buy Fresh resources were launched in Springfield at Malahide Community Place with a presentation explaining the tools, along with displays and a cross-county smorgasbord created by Chef Cindy Bircham.
Project coordinator, Donna Lunn, explained that the new initiatives will help both consumers in finding local producers, and farmers in connecting with customers. “We are providing businesses with signs with a QR code which takes you back to the page which is under control of the farm. Whenever it is updated, it will automatically update to the Facebook and Twitter too – that’s good for busy farmers!”
An exciting new pilot project in East Elgin was also unveiled – it will add some new “flavours” for rural trekkers with the integration of the Settlement Stories Quilt Trail and a new “Buy Local, By Artisans Trail.” Said Donna, “This networking of our local economic drivers is a one-stop shop for consumers to access each Trail or combine them so as not to miss out on any of our local treasures. We want tourists to stop, stay and spend.”
An exciting new pilot project in East Elgin was also unveiled – it will add some new “flavours” for rural trekkers with the integration of the Settlement Stories Quilt Trail and a new “Buy Local, By Artisans Trail.” Said Donna, “This networking of our local economic drivers is a one-stop shop for consumers to access each Trail or combine them so as not to miss out on any of our local treasures. We want tourists to stop, stay and spend.”
Photographer Trevor Pottelberg, a "Buy Local, By Artisans" artist with some of his work.
The project is a collaboration of community networks and Mennonite Community Services with support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation the three East Elgin municipalities. MCS Executive Director Abe Harms emphasized, “We want to show off Elgin County.”
Donna noted that this is a pilot project; there is possibility of developing the Buy Fresh, Buy Local map with the new elements (Quilt & Artisan Trails) which have been included in East Elgin in other areas of Elgin County in the future.
Check out the new website at www.buylocalbuyfresh.ca.
Donna noted that this is a pilot project; there is possibility of developing the Buy Fresh, Buy Local map with the new elements (Quilt & Artisan Trails) which have been included in East Elgin in other areas of Elgin County in the future.
Check out the new website at www.buylocalbuyfresh.ca.
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