The State Government has launched a new program to help Western Australian shoppers identify and purchase locally produced food.
The State Government has launched a new program to help Western Australian shoppers identify and purchase locally produced food.
Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance said the 'Buy West, Eat Best' program helped consumers to identify WA products through the use of a unique green logo, providing assurance that they were supporting the local food industry.
"The Buy West, Eat Best program is a great opportunity for local food businesses to promote their products and meet consumer demand for clearly labelled WA produce," Mr Chance said.
"Since the launch of the program to the food industry in November 2007, more than 40 local food businesses and retailers have signed up, with more expressing interest on a daily basis.
"This tremendous response from the WA food industry to the program means that consumers will be able to spot the Buy West, Eat Best logo in their local retail stores throughout the State and provide consumers with a great opportunity to support our food industries."
The Minister said food businesses and producers who were using the Buy West, Eat Best logo had to meet specific local content, safety/quality and registration criteria.
"All fresh foods must have been 'grown, farmed or fished' in WA," he said.
"Processed foods must have all main ingredients grown, farmed or fished in WA, and the goods must have been processed in this State.
"The State Government has committed $1million over three years for the new local food marketing initiative.
"The Buy West, Eat Best program is being managed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, which is also responsible for its monitoring and for compliance.
"This will include compliance checks of businesses and the establishment of a website, email and free consumer hotline, so the public can have any queries addressed or report any concerns."
Mr Chance said the Buy West, Eat Best program was also backed by a strong marketing campaign being rolled out from today.
"Today's consumer launch at Garden City, where there are a number of retailers signed-up to the program, will be supported by in-store Buy West, Eat Best product displays and demonstrations in more than 200 retail outlets over the next three weeks across the State," he said.
"There will also be a press and radio advertising campaign, train station promotion and in store marketing promotions.
"Today is just the first phase in a three-year program and I encourage all consumers to look for the green Buy West, Eat Best logo."
Food Industry Association chairman David Lock said the food industry was very supportive of the Buy West, Eat Best program.
"The program encourages consumers to make informed choices about purchasing quality local products which support the local food industry and this is important for its future growth and sustainability," Mr Lock said.
"The Food Industry Association encourages all eligible WA food businesses to join the program."