The PEI Flavours logo has been developed under the Department of Agriculture’s Buy PEI program to increase the visibility of PEI produced food and the people that produce it. It will be used for buy local promotion, export markets and culinary tourism initiatives.

To increase coordination of industry and government for these promotions, the PEI Culinary Alliance was formed in September, 2009. The Alliance is made up of representatives from the PEI Potato Board, PEI Seafood Processors Association, Tourism, Culinary Institute of Canada, PEI Restaurant Association, PEI’s Chef Association, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Tourism and Culture, the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and various other members at large.

The goal of this group is to increase PEI food consumption and to have PEI recognized as a destination for food. It also helps ensure that anything food-related on PEI will fall under the logo to reduce confusion for consumers. By having representatives of these organizations meeting regularly, food promotions should be more coordinated and can include partnerships to enhance the impact.

The PEI Flavours logo has been developed under the Department of Agriculture’s Buy PEI program to increase the visibility of PEI produced food and the people that produce it. It will be used for buy local promotion, export markets and culinary tourism initiatives.

To increase coordination of industry and government for these promotions, the PEI Culinary Alliance was formed in September, 2009. The Alliance is made up of representatives from the PEI Potato Board, PEI Seafood Processors Association, Tourism, Culinary Institute of Canada, PEI Restaurant Association, PEI’s Chef Association, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Tourism and Culture, the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and various other members at large.

The goal of this group is to increase PEI food consumption and to have PEI recognized as a destination for food. It also helps ensure that anything food-related on PEI will fall under the logo to reduce confusion for consumers. By having representatives of these organizations meeting regularly, food promotions should be more coordinated and can include partnerships to enhance the impact.

One of the first projects that led to the creation of the PEI Culinary Alliance was the Pack Your Appetite contest with the PEI Potato Board. The contest invited participants to register online for a chance to win a variety of prizes, including complimentary PEI culinary vacations. The contest surpassed 100,000 contest entries during the four-month period and, more importantly, Potato sales in Central-Eastern Canada have been up by over 12 %.

Other current projects include the PEI Flavours Trail, a culinary guide to PEI that includes farmers, fishers, markets, restaurants, events and experiences, a website to complement the trail and include the Farm Fresh directory and working with Chef Michael Smith to promote PEI food.

If you are interested in using the PEI Flavours Logo on your packaging, signage or promotional material, contact Kent Thompson at the PEI Department of Agriculture at 368-5606

On the evening of March 31, 2010 over forty beef producers came together at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown for their Annual Meeting. After the business portion of the meeting, Les Halliday led us through an extensive list of ways to save costs down on the farm. There were lots of take home ideas that could make a difference to your bottom line.

His presentation will be added to our website at www.peicattleproducers.com so you can read over his suggestions at your leisure.

We also reviewed a couple of other programs to make sure producers were aware of them. We were pleased to let producers know that the Beef Industry Initiative (BII) program had been extended for another year. The BII covers programs such as Enhanced Herd Health, Genetic Heifer Retention and Handling Facilities. There were no changes to these programs with the exception of the Genetic Heifer Retention. Under this program, producers who wish to source their heifer from outside the Maritimes will be eligible for an additional $200.00 if they meet all the previous requirements.

The Growing Forward Program continues to offer funding for certain farm food safety, traceability and/or biosecurity items. The most popular costs covered under this program are RFID readers and Verified Beef Production audits. The program will cover up to 75% of eligible costs up to $2500.00. It is important to remember you must be preapproved, or you may not be eligible for funding. The Maritime Bull Test Station continues to input age verification data for producers. If you don’t have the time or the means to get online to do this yourself, by signing a third party release form and sending your information to the MBTS, they will input your birthdates for you. As a reminder if you have a birth certificate for an animal which you present to ABP, it will override dentition if the animal happens to be less than thirty months of age but showing its 3rd and 4th secondary teeth. You could save $160.00 in over thirty month discounts. Forms are available at the PEICP office.

Justin Lawless was on hand with information on the Verified Beef Production program and is now meeting with producers. Just call the office at 368-2229 to arrange a time.

Cameron Pallett, a lawyer representing beef producers across Canada, was at the N.S. Cattle Producers AGM to discuss the BSE Class Action lawsuit. His update indicated that lawyers have done all they can for now. It is a matter of time before any decision will be made. Producers do not have to register. Having beef income and expenses listed on a 2003 income tax return is all the proof a producer needs, so we encourage you to hang on to your old records.

Peter Verleun has been re-elected as Chair, Ivan Johnson as Vice–Chair and Brian Morrison as Secretary Treasurer. We would also like to welcome David McCloskey as a new Director At Large. Our remaining Directors include Jamie Whalen and Glen Jay, while Ronnie MacWilliams continues to serve as our Ex Officio Dairy Representative.

Following the meeting producers were treated to a delicious meal of beef on a bun served by Scott Carr who owns the company.