News release

Minister Encourages Nova Scotians to Eat Atlantic

Agriculture

Agriculture Minister John MacDonell wants Nova Scotians to show their pride for the great food produced in Atlantic Canada by eating only Atlantic food on Eat Atlantic Challenge Day, Thursday, Sept. 2.

"Eating foods from local sources is an excellent choice that leads to greater market access for our farmers while growing the economy," said Mr. MacDonell. "I encourage Nova Scotians to take part in this friendly competition which raises profile for inter- province exports and production for all four Atlantic provinces."

To participate, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I and Newfoundland and Labrador residents fill out an online pledge at www.eatatlantic.ca and eat only Atlantic foods that day. People who fill out the pledge have a chance to win a $250 Atlantic foods gift basket donated by the region's Co-op food stores. Co-op Atlantic launched the first Eat Atlantic Challenge in 2008. Many of the stores will host corn boils Sept. 2 to promote the challenge.

The Eat Atlantic website features a provincial leaderboard, which keeps a running tally of pledges, as well as a map of Atlantic Canada that shows where participants are located. The website also features links to an Eat Atlantic Challenge Facebook site, Twitter feeds, videos submitted by Atlantic Canadians, and information on Let's Grow, where more than 25,000 Atlantic school children were given a chance to grow their own bean seeds.

Last year, thousands of Atlantic Canadians pledged to eat Atlantic for the day. The winner, by per capita participation, was P.E.I.