Manitoba residents and visitors can eat well and live healthy lives thanks to the farmers who produce the bounty of fine foods we all enjoy. This statement was made by Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers at Agriculture Awareness Day, celebrated at the Manitoba Legislative Building.
“This is a great opportunity for consumers to meet the people who produce so much of the food we consume,” said Struthers. “March is also Nutrition Month, so it is a fitting occasion to launch our new publication, the 2011 Food Products Guide – Enjoy Manitoba Food Year-Round.”
The new food guide shows the foods that Manitoba farmers and processors produce, and where they can be purchased. Copies of the new guide are available at a variety of locations including GO offices, libraries, chambers of commerce and tourism offices throughout the province.
Struthers noted current research linking components in prairie-grown and prairie-made foods as well as treatments that may reduce chronic health conditions. Ongoing trials, such as the study of the positive effects of flax on heart disease, could eventually lead to discoveries in the development and commercialization of functional foods and nutraceuticals, he said.
Manitoba’s producers continue to work with the province to increase awareness of agriculture-based products locally, nationally and internationally. Trade missions to introduce Manitoba crops, meats and processed foods around the world have opened doors to new markets and are helping to create two-way trade partnerships, said Struthers. Agriculture contributes 62,000 jobs to Manitoba’s economy and directly employs approximately 30,000 workers. In 2010, agriculture contributed $4.2 billion or four per cent of the provincial gross domestic product.
Each summer throughout the province, fresh produce is readily available locally through farmers’ markets. Last year, 63 farmers’ markets sold locally produced products directly to Manitoba consumers, an increase of 13 markets from the summer of 2009.
“When we enjoy locally produced foods, it benefits our farm families, rural communities and our provincial economy,” said Struthers. “Thank goodness for farmers and thank farmers for the goodness they produce.”
Agricultural Awareness Day was created by unanimous resolution of the Manitoba legislative assembly in May 2004 to thank producers for providing safe, plentiful and affordable food products and recognize their role as key drivers of the provincial economy. The third Tuesday in March is now set aside for this celebration.
