Making local produce more efficient
Growing demand for local produce has spurred formation of a new group designed to improve efficiencies in the supply-demand chain.The Local Sustainable Produce Value Chain, organized by the Value Chain Manitoba Initiative, consists of four local vegetable producers, as well as Fresh Option Organic Delivery, Vita Health Fresh Markets and Diversity Foods of the University of Winnipeg.The project aims to measure efficiencies that could be gained by sharing retail sales data with distributors and growers to match supply with demand. Organizers hope the system lessens reliance on imported organic produce and other niche crops.”We look forward to working with the project team members as they strive to reduce duplication in marketing and distribution, increase product quality and consistency, match supply and demand more effectively, and collaborate to meet a rising demand for local product beyond the capacity of farmers’ markets,” Eugene Warwaruk, value chain co-ordinator with the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council said in a news release.For more information or to submit ideas for a value chain project, contact a VCMI member. The program ends March 31, 2011. More information is available at www.valuechainmb.ca.
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Manitoba linked to Indian food centre
Manitoba has signed a memor-andum of understanding with the state of Haryana, India, to create a food development centre in Haryana and build a relationship between the new centre and the Food Development Centre in Portage la Prairie, Man.Manitoba wants to target the export market for Manitoba food companies and India has been identified as one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. Through the agreement, the Portage centre will provide services and technical expertise for a fee to support the establishment of a new centre in India based on the Manitoba model. These services focus on food engineering and process developments, pilot plant design and equipment sourcing, product development, and custom processing and co-packing.The Indian government has iden-tified Haryana as a location for a mega food park it is planning.
