The prospect of buying local, fresh products is seeing steady growth.
The Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Okanagan map is moving into its fifth year and second year for the map.
ѻýThe maps continue to be well received and are becoming one of the most requested publications at visitor centres and other outlets,ѻý said Shayne Wright of Buy Local! Buy Fresh!
Places such as Armstrongѻýs Otter Lake Farm, Vernonѻýs BX Press and the Coldstream Creek Road Orchard are among some of the 48 listings, plus events, mapped in the publication. And itѻýs growing.
ѻýWeѻýre planning to register 60 farms for 2017,ѻý said Wright.
ѻýLast year we had a number of farms inquire to join in Coldstream and Lavington. We hope we can make space for them in next yearѻýs edition.ѻý
Coldstream (as well as Vernon, Lake Country and other Okanagan communities) has been a sponsor of the map since it started five years ago. Wright would like to enter into a three to five year agreement with such sponsors.
But a couple Coldstream councillors have some hesitations.
ѻýIѻým a little bit leary of seeing this continue into perpetuity,ѻý said Coun. Peter McClean, who suggested private sponsorship be sought.
ѻýI looked at this as more of a helping hand to get started, not on a continual basis.ѻý
Wright says there is a possibility of some other regionѻýs sharing the sponsorship with Coldstream, such as the Regional District of North Okanagan, if they are interested.
But, he adds: ѻýThey (farms) pay a pretty modest fee to participate. Hopefully the district can continue to provide some support.ѻý