The federal government is investing $219,000 in Saveur NB, a non-profit organization and a brand whose mission is to support and promote the food and beverage industry.
Funded by the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Saveur NB is
According to Federal Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, this sector has one of the highest economic growth potentials in the country. It is for this reason in particular that his government supports the mission of Saveur NB.
“As we see more visitors and local consumers in our region looking for high-quality, unique and locally produced food products, supporting New Brunswick’s food and beverage industry becomes more than just a choice, it’s an investment in our economy, our community and our future,” says Petitpas Taylor.
Saveur NB has established an ambassador program allowing all members of the food and beverage industry, including producers, processors and culinary artisans, to grow by participating in support programs.
Maxime Gauvin, interim executive director of Saveur NB, says the organization is working to develop programs and new collaborations to meet the needs of industry members.
“We work on three components, that of visibility and recognition of the brand, mentoring and business growth and access to the market and distribution,” explains Mr. Gauvin.
Over the next three months, the Saveur NB logo will appear in Sobeys and Foodland stores as well as farmers’ markets across the province. Consumers will be able to look for the logo while shopping so they can choose local products and support the food and beverage sector.
Industry members will be able to use the logo on their products, packaging and promotional materials to enhance the visibility of their brand and products.
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Margaret Johnson said “the Saveur NB partnership will showcase our food and beverage products while positioning this sector for significant growth.”
In its press release, Saveur NB states that households here spend approximately $2.4 billion on food each year. On the other hand, a large part is produced outside the province. The organization wants to promote the purchase of local products. Blair Hyslop, co-president of Saveur NB, believes it was time to celebrate local products.
“Until now, we did not have an industry-managed organization whose mission was to represent all local producers. It’s time to celebrate the producers and culinary artisans who make the province so unique. As a long-time member of this industry, I am proud to be part of this organization. I am happy to see Saveur NB come to fruition and to know that the industry will benefit from it,” he says.
The need for an industry-led organization that promotes the growth and development of New Brunswick’s food and beverage sector has been evident for several years in the province. The Saveur NB brand was created in 2022, after several years of work.
