Why Buy Local? The reasons for buying local multiply the more you do it. When you buy local, your food has all the flavour and nutrients it was meant to have by being fully ripened when picked and delivered to you almost immediately - rather than sitting on a truck for days crossing the continent.

Purchase food from BC farmers because: You can take advantage of super fresh produce, generally picked a very short time prior to you purchasing it, (hours to a couple of days). It tastes better! Produce is of a higher quality as it stays on the plant longer, maximizing its nutrient content, appearance and texture, and of course, taste. Less processing, even at home, is needed to prepare Market produce compared to over-ripe or under-ripe foods that were imported into BC. Once you start to buy local products, you will become aware how much tastier in-season foods are are than out-of-season. Buying local produce supports farming communities as the money farmers make goes directly to them and does not get distributed between middle men. More jobs within the agri-food sector will be created if the demand for local products increases. Purchasing foods grown and produced in BC sustains farming in BC communities and keeps BC varietal products available. Non-renewable resources are saved, as the food does not travel great distances to reach your plate.

The first step to buying BC products is, knowing which are considered local. Products grown, caught, raised or processed in BC and/ or 51% or more of the cost of producing the product - raw materials, direct labour, variables processing and packaging originates in BC constitutes a local BC product. Once you see, taste, smell and feel the difference, you'll always want it again.