Make it, bake it, grow it, process it: Food and other grocery items that carry the Maple Leaf logo are far bigger sellers than those that are imported.
On May 18, Langley MP Mark Warawa launched a government initiative to persuade shoppers to make their selections based on the made-in-Canada label.
Canadian farmers produce the best and safest food in the world, and it’s important that Canadian shoppers can easily find these top-quality products on their store shelves, Warawa said.
Making the announcement outside the Buy-Low Foods store in Walnut Grove, Warawa explained how agriculture is vital to the economic well-being of the country.
In 2010, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada conducted an online shopping simulation to replicate a real shopping experience and to find out if consumers’ actions are as loud as their words.
The study found that making a prominent Canadian content statement and a maple leaf image on a label can significantly boost sales.
Processed food products promoted as Canadian realized an overall sales increase of more than 26 per cent at grocery stores in Vancouver, and more than 22 per cent in Ottawa.
“We’re helping Canadians find their food of choice when they shop for themselves and their families,” Warawa said.
“It’s a great advantage for our farmers and retailers, and a project worth supporting,” he added.
Twenty-three Buy-Low Foods/ Nesters Market stores have begun their launch of the Canada Brand initiative. Other stores about to follow include Choices Markets.
A ‘Product of Canada’ label denotes that almost all (about 98 per cent) of the major ingredients, processing and labour used to make the product are Canadian.
Warawa was joined by Buy-Low store manager Dan Begg and about two dozen students from Alex Hope Elementary.