MEET YOUR MAKER OKANAGAN

FarmFolk CityFolk is proud to bring MEET YOUR MAKER to the Okanagan region in 2012. Meet Your Maker is an annual networking event that brings together the region’s small-scale food producers and food buyers to learn, share, network and get business!

Our 2012 event will be scheduled in April (date & location pending.)

If you’d like to receive an invitation or notification when registration opens each year, please subscribe to our MYM Okanagan Email “Alert” list by sending an email to:
meetyourmakerokanagan+subscribe@googlegroups.com

The future of food is local
Around the world, food systems are being re-localized and communities are recognizing the benefits of regaining consumer power. Reducing food transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions, increasing local food security, enhancing the local and agricultural economy and keeping BC farmers on the land begins with increasing public and industry demand for food grown in BC. Changing awareness leads to a change in demand. Be part of the leading edge.

Reducing our Food Miles
The average North American dinner travels 2,000 km from field to plate. On an international scale, the import and export of food have tripled in the last 20 years. Consumers are increasing becoming aware of the environmental pollution caused by food miles. Consumers want food that is fit to eat, not to travel.

Increasing the Regional Economy
When local products are purchased, up to 90% of the consumer dollar is re-circulated in the local community. Buying 10% of your food from local producers could enable an additional $2 billion consumer dollars circulating in our region’s economy.

Room to Grow
In recent years, various government reports confirm we have the capacity to grow. It is widely acknowledged that the province could produce 60% of its own food (or more!)

Be part of BC’s Local Food Movement

You can help create a strong market for BC farmers and encourage new farmers to grow. With solid consumer and business support, small-scale growers can increase production for the local market. Consumers are hungrier than ever for local food. Let’s grow the local market and invest in the business of local food.

Meet Your Maker – where local, small-scale food businesses grow
Not many small-scale food producers can afford the booth fees, staff-time and travel costs associated with large industry trade shows where buyers are searching for quantities beyond your capacity. Meet Your Maker is where you’ll meet food producers that can grow for you and where you’ll meet buyers who can form direct relationships. You’ll meet businesses searching for local ingredients and producers who can produce what the corporate sector can’t. Meet Your Maker is a networking event for businesses like yours.

Click here to see some photos of our 2011 event in Metro Vancouver.
Click here to watch a clip of our first Meet Your Maker event in Vancouver (2008.)

Click here for information about our Vancouver event.

Contact: Jennifer Vincent
Okanagan Events Coordinator
FarmFolk CityFolk
Email: okfeast@farmfolkcityfolk.ca