Manitoba Agriculture wants to get more locally produced food on store shelves.

An innovative way of getting locally produced food on store shelves and in restaurants is being touted by Manitoba Agriculture.

Business Development specialist Ruth Mealy was part of the unveiling of the "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" campaign.

 

She explains the project aims to bring together independent processors in a co-operative fashion to increase their marketing power and develop a local food distribution system.

 

She adds several businesses already distribute locally produced foods to restaurants and grocery stores, but cost savings could be realized by joining forces.

 

Mealy  notes there are many food distributors in the province, but there are no local food distributors except for each of the independent processors.

 

The program will initially focus on processors in southwestern and south central Manitoba.