Local farmers are getting the help they need to market their businesses through The FoodLink Grey-Bruce Producer Support Program.
There are 17 local producers in this year’s program — and many of them attended a meeting at the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit in Owen Sound on Wednesday.
FoodLink Coordinator Maria Weijs (WAYS) says this is their 3rd year running a grant program, through funding from Grey and Bruce counties and OMAFRA.
Weijs says each food producer gets 750 dollars in grant money, and are asked to provide 250 dollars of their own.
Weijs says the money is earmarked for signage and advertising for the business, as well as product labelling.
Marlene Wynnyk, owner of The Healing Arc Golden Orchard just North of Wingham, says the program has been a big help in getting her product recognized.
Wynnyk grows Sea Buckthorn berries, a natural health product which many people are not familiar with.
She notes that having a beautiful sign at her farm is bringing in more customers, and her business is thriving.
Ashley Burke of Alverstoke Farm in Paisley says she got involved with the FoodLink program out of desperation.
Burke says when she started breeding Burkshire pigs, she was raising them herself while trying to do all the marketing as well.
She now realizes marketing her product is just as important as producing it.
Janice McKean of The Ark Farm in Tiverton says FoodLink meetings also provide a network for local farmers and food producers to connect.
