Taste RealGuelph Wellington Local Food

Publicly Supported Buy Local Program

PARTNERS• Farms

• Farmers’ Markets

• Restaurants

• Retailers

• Processors

• Caterers

• Distributors

• Food and agricultural organizations and

events

• local municipalities

LOCAL FOOD MAP

• 40,000 copies printed annually• Available online• Online food finder connected through

Ontariofresh.ca

ONLINE

• Website• E-newsletter• FB• Twitter• You Tube

RURAL ROMP• Spring and Fall• 13-15 locations• Authentic rural experience• Learn about local food production first

hand• Meet farmers and food producers• Build customer relationships

LOCAL FOOD FEST• Celebration of local food• Local food and drink• Farmers’ market• And exhibitors• Activities entertainment• Food skills workshops

FARMALCIOUS• Season long dining event• Promotes collaboration and

partnerships chef and farmers• Highlights local restaurant

champions

B2B Networking

• Platform for B2B

connections

• Wholesale vendors

• Resource

Source It Here

• Networking• Tradeshow• Speakers• Collaboration with Foodlink

Waterloo Region

• Initiative of the Guelph Community Health Centre• First farmer map in 2005• Health focus

HOW DID IT BECOME A PUBLICLY FUNDED INITIATIVE

• 45 stakeholders across the region (County, City, Tourism stakeholders, farmers, food businesses, OMAFRA)

• Food Tourism and branding strategy • 2009 – 2011 OMIF grant

• Key: municipal stakeholders, partners across the region• County of Wellington, Guelph CHC, Elora Fergus Tourism,

OMAFRA, Town of Minto, Township of Mapleton, Township of Wellington North, Visit Guelph, WWCFDC, UoGuelph

What was successful?

• Funding for coordinator position

• Office space

• Additional Ec Dev initiatives and opportunities

What was successful?

• Leveraging partnerships and resources within the organization

• Growing and supporting new initiatives

Challenges

• Transitioning

• Reporting structure

• Perception

Key learnings

• Find your champions

• Build relationships with municipal staff and decision makers

Celebrate successes!

facebook.com/tastereal

@tastereal

www.tastereal.ca

Thank you!