,
 

Local Market Expansion Project

 
 
Subscribe to our free E-Newsletter, "RTW This Week"Sign up for our
E-Newsletter
  
 
 
 What is a local market system?

The local market system is one which allows consumers to come closer to the producers who grow, process and prepare their food. It includes things like farmers’ markets, regional cuisine, farm direct marketing and ag tourism. Local market systems allow consumers to eat, shop and experience local agriculture.

Why a Local Market Expansion Project in Alberta?

  • Growing opportunities for producers
  • Improved market access
  • Enhanced profitability at the farm gate
For more information read Creating Access for Local, Healthy, Green, Convenient Food Products and Services

Strategies to expand the local market system are, to facilitate:
  • Industry growth and enhancement
  • Creation of business alliances
  • Collaboration for consumer awareness
  • Identification of regulatory barriers
What's in it for you?

Resources, training and other projects:
  • Agripreneur Scholarship
  • Setting a Profitable Price Workshops
  • New Venture Assessment Tool
  • Producer/Chef networks
  • Association support – ie. Step It Up Conference
  • Ag Tourism Clusters
  • Culinary Tourism Alliance
  • Consumer Demand Study
  • Pilot project to create local food access into institutions
  • Study of existing promotion programs
  • Pilot project to address municipal regulatory barriers
  • Review of Alberta Farmers’ Market Guidelines
  • Local Market Expansion Communique (614KB)

Follow this link for more Coming Events

Alternative Agriculture Markets in Alberta Study, 2008 (PDF 934KB)
What is the status of the local food market in Alberta? Where are we at today? This report shows us the demographics, the present market value and the change over the past four years for the farm retail, farmers' markets, and farm activities sector of the ‘eat, shop, experience’ Alberta- based market. In addition we have obtained the percentage of farm retail, and farmers' markets that can be attributed to Alberta-grown or made foods as well as the benefits and barriers to purchasing local as perceived by Albertans. This information will contribute to a foundation and food for thought for the developing programs within the Local Market Expansion Project.
Link to 2004 study (868KB)

Executive Summary to Study (pdf 204KB)

For more information on the Local Market Expansion Project:

Contact a New Venture Specialist at the Ag Info Centre: 310-FARM (3276)

Additional Information can be found on the following web pages: 		 
 
 
 
For more information about the content of this document, contact Bill Reynolds.
This document is maintained by Joan Bates.
This information published to the web on November 5, 2008.
Last Reviewed/Revised on September 23, 2009.