The Province's first ever Local Food Council met this week.

The Council made up of 15 industry members will report to Alberta's Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Oneil Carlier, and provide recommendations on how to support the growth of Alberta's local food sector.

Carlier says, the Council discussed a number of topics at their first meeting.

"We discussed what other things we can look at to continue diversifying local food, or agriculture in general, and really looking forward to their thoughts on that."

Carlier says, Alberta's local food sector is worth $1 billion.

Co-chair Susan Schafers, who's also with Egg Farmers of Alberta, says working with other producers allows her to learn more about the collective industry.

"To be successful, we must take a forward-looking and proactive approach and work collaboratively as a local food sector. Consumers are increasingly interested in how we farm, and I'm excited to share our local food industry with Albertans."

Jeff Senger with Sangudo Custom Meats is the council's other co-chair.

"In our local business, I shake the farmer's hand when he drops off his live cow, and I shake his hand when he comes to pick up his steak," Senger says. "There is a trust and responsibility at our small local level that works for us and our customers. I want to help other local food entrepreneurs establish these types of connections with the land, their product and their customers across Alberta."

The Council will give recommendations on provincial policies, programs and pilot projects.

Appointing the Council was a part of implementing the Supporting Alberta's Local Food Sector Act passed in May.

 

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