Dine Alberta Producer Information

Regional cuisine advocates the usage of quality locally grown ingredients, in union with the culture, geography, and history of Alberta. The "Dine Alberta: All Year Round" project, now in it's fifth year, is a stimulating way to showcase local agriculture products, family owned farms, and value added processing. In doing so it incorporates producers, processors, distributors, restaurants, chefs, media, and most importantly, the consumers. The Dine Alberta project is developed by Agriculture and Rural Development's Regional Cuisine Initiative of the Industry Development Sector, in partnership with Growing Alberta and various Producer Associations. Upcoming Events Growing Alberta presents.... EATING - is there a solution to the confusion? What the agri-food industry needs to know. Join us for an "Afternoon of Food For Thought" on September 10, 2008 at Festival Place, Sherwood Park. The afternoon will feature key note speaker and author, Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Director – McGill Office for Science and Society and a "Dine Alberta" sampler reception. Click here for full details and information on how you can purchase your ticket to this exciting event. 2008/09 Agri-preneur Scholarship Guidelines and Application Form Workshop Presentations Finding Success with Food Service - February 2008 - presentations from workshop below Alberta Food Regulation and Food Code Outline - 1,502K PDF Effective Product Presentation - 1,334K PDF Finding Success with Food Safety - 1,501K PDF Food Regulations in Alberta - 1,048K PDF Price It Right! - An Insider's Guide to Pricelists and Distributors - 265K PDF Where To Find Dine Alberta Restaurants The pots are bubbling and the pans are sizzling in these 117 Alberta restaurants. So much great food and so little time! Three separate formats: 1. Restaurant Searchable Directory - search by fields of regions, alphabetical, or availability 2. 2008 Participating Restaurants - a list of participating restaurants that includes a descriptive of restaurant. 3. Restaurant Listings 2008 (pdf 52KB) complete with chef/owner contact information. Producers should use this listing for contacting restaurants abour their products. Producer Note: 118 restaurants registered this year. 4. "NEW" On-line map of Restaurants - complete with driving directions

• The menus will contain a minimum of seventy percent Alberta grown or processed ingredients.
• The project will have strong components of linking local grown ingredients (traceability to Alberta family run farms) to local restaurants, developing producers’ skills for selling into foodservice, and public/tourism promotion.

• It is also anticipated that spin-off economic benefits will be realized by the hospitality and tourism industry because they will be able to add value to their industries by utilizing local agri-food products as part of the dining or tourist experience.

• Alberta Regional Cuisine Sourcing Directory Provincial Producer Directory (pdf. 676KB)
• Dine Alberta Individual Region Producer Directories (printable on 11 x 17 paper): Southern Alberta Directory (pdf. 77kb); Central Alberta Directory (pdf. 76kb ); Northwest Region Directory (pdf. 108kb); Northeast Region Directory (pdf. 45kb) ); Peace Region Directory (pdf. 43kb).

• Alberta Regional Cuisine Sourcing Directory

• Agir-News Promotion Article - May 19, 2008
• "New" - Weekly Feature on Dine Alberta Producers/Processors
• Dine Alberta Factsheet (pdf 138KB)
• Selling Local Foods to Restaurants and Foodservice (pdf 21KB)

• Alberta Beekeepers has been serving the interests of hobby and commercial beekeepers since 1933. As part of the third largest and fastest growing beekeeping region in North America, the mission of Alberta Beekeepers is to promote a sustainable, prosperous beekeeping industry for members by working with stakeholders and partners to ensure quality products and services. Alberta Beekeepers is pleased to be a sponsor of Dine Alberta, as Alberta is known for its world-renowned mild flavoured high quality white honey. Honey adds a subtle but distinctive taste to food.
• The Alberta Elk Commission (AEC) represents over 400 elk producers raising close to 40,000 elk in the province of Alberta. A priority for the AEC is to ensure an environment exists within Alberta and beyond its borders where elk producers can raise their elk and gainfully market their animals and products in a way that is beneficial to the future growth of the entire elk industry. Products such as velvet antler and meat derived from farmed elk provide healthy alternative dietary supplement and food choices for today’s discerning consumers.
• Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association (AFFPA) has 147 members and is dedicated to supporting the production of farm direct market vegetable crops, berry and fruit crops, bedding plants, perennials, herbs, flowers, meats, poultry, eggs and other specialty items in Alberta. AFFPA is a voluntary membership, non-profit organization representing direct market growers. Most AFFPA members market directly to consumers via U-Pick farms, farm gate sales and/or through Farmers' Markets.
• Alberta Lamb aims to increase consumption of local lamb in the Province of Alberta. Alberta Lamb is a natural, nutritious and delicious meat that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Available in a variety of cuts, lamb is perfect for any occasion from a backyard barbecue to a gourmet dinner party.
• Alberta Pork is a provincial organization serving Alberta's pork producers. Our mandate is to deliver quality products in a prosperous and sustainable environment. We are, once again this year, pleased to be involved in the Dine Alberta Savour Regional Flavour program and thank you for “putting pork on your fork”.
• Alberta White-tail and Mule Deer Association - As the voice for Alberta deer ranchers, The Alberta White-tail & Mule Deer Association is proud to be a part of Dine Alberta. Together, we are striving to offer farmed raised product that will meet or exceed your expectations. We are confident that our farm raised deer meat will offer a rewarding experience for your customers and highlight the diversity of Alberta’s regional cuisine.
• Big Rock Brewery produces it's own private label brands of specialty draught and bottled beer for sale across Canada. Our organization is guided in all that we do to create exceptional beers for perceptive consumers. Big Rock strives to be recognized as a superb brewery, renown for our premium products, community involvement and strong business performance.
• Bison Producers of Alberta helps create opportunities for the development of local, national, and international consumer demand for Bison meat products; and attract new producers and investors to the Bison industry. With an estimated number of 80,000 bison, Alberta has over 50% of the bison in Canada. This association supports its membership through marketing and promotion to encourage the use of bison and bison products.
• Growing Alberta is a non-profit organization that builds understanding and awareness with consumers about the agriculture and food industry in Alberta. Our efforts are solidly supported by a strong commitment from the Government of Alberta and our industry organizations. Our mandate is to communicate about all aspects of agriculture with a focus on the journey of products from farm or field to fork.
• The Potato Growers of Alberta is a potato grower organization that facilitates the success of the potato growing industry in Alberta. We are proud to showcase our finest growers in the Dine Alberta Program. Alberta potatoes can't be beaten in quality and taste. We grow the ultimate comfort food to give the consumer a healthy lifestyle choice.
• Chomp Around Alberta
• Agricultural Policy Framework (APF)
• Alberta Farmers' Market Association

• For further information on Agriculture and Rural Development's Regional Cuisine Initiative check out the following......