Government Funding Supports Local Food Production
The government is investing an additional $7.9 million to help local farmers grow more food and get it into more of the province’s largest kitchens.
“Buying local starts with growing local. That’s the foundation – and we need it to be strong,” said Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow. “This new investment will help farmers grow more and agri-businesses make more, and it paves the way for local products in our schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities.”
The new $5-million Season Extension Enhancement Program will help support fruit and vegetable growers who invest in innovative and labour-saving technologies to extend their growing season, adapt to a changing climate and open new market opportunities. The program will build on the success of recent pilot programs like the Long Cane Raspberry Pilot, conducted in co-operation with commercial growers, Perennia Food and Agriculture and Horticulture Nova Scotia.
A new $2-million Local Food Advancer Program will help local producers and agri-businesses invest in equipment and technology to increase production either by expanding their current operations or by creating new value-add products.
The government is also dedicating $900,000 to help get more locally grown and produced food into large-scale kitchens through new pilots, like the one announced last week with continuing care provider Northwood.
Details on program opportunities will be available online in January. The initiatives support the government’s goal to have 20 per cent of all food purchased in Nova Scotia be locally grown or produced by 2030.
Quotes:
“Our industry plays a big role in the health of our communities. This announcement means farmers can support more Nova Scotians in putting fresh, healthy, local food on the table. This is an investment in our food security and our rural economies.”
– Allan Melvin, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture
Additional Resources:
News release – More Local Food Coming to Northwood: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20221209003