The Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network (EOAN) is among the recipients of the Desjardins Ontario’s community investments – an amount of $25,000 for the new consumer-oriented branding project to represent the food, beverages, and agri-tourism of Eastern Ontario.
The Community Development Fund (CDF) of the Desjardins Ontario Credit Union provided a total investment of $200,000 to community projects in Ontario. The CDF provides an opportunity for organizations in Ontario to develop a structuring project that will have a positive impact on the community.
The objective of the EOAN’s branding project is to enable farmers, food businesses, and residents to flourish in French and English with local food production, marketing, shopping, and consumption in Eastern Ontario. Research is now underway and the new regional brand will be launched in the early fall.
“The branding project will increase local food and beverage recognition, appeal, and impact in rural Eastern Ontario,” Tom Manley, Executive Director of the EOAN, explained. “In both English and French, a new permanent regional brand for local food in will be memorable, recognizable, and enticing to residents and tourists.”
To create an enticing connection between consumers and producers, a series of bilingual video profiles will represent the EOAN’s producers and tell the story behind the food. A new website will host the new local food brand, connect people through online mapping, promote the video profiles, and bring public attention to farmers’ markets, special agri- food events, and agri-tourism opportunities. A publicity campaign will target residents and visitors via print, radio, and social media.
The first impact is an increase in the income of small farms and food and beverage producers, as well as related tourism activities such as culture, hospitality, history, and eco- tourism. The second effect will be an increase in local pride, cohesion, and recognition for agri-food assets and unique entrepreneurs in both French and English. Thirdly, the rest of Canada will discover, research, and visit Eastern Ontario.
The Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network was created in 2010 and primarily serves a territory comprising Akwesasne, the City of Cornwall, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. Its bi-weekly newsletter is sent out to more than 1,100 recipients, including farmers, food producers, institutions, agri-food experts, and consumers. The EOAN receives core funding from the United Counties of PR, the United Counties of SDG, and the City of Cornwall.
