Community groups and businesses across the province are getting ready to serve up delicious local fare at this year’s Incredible Picnics.
The 6th annual Incredible Picnic season kicked off with the Picnic in the Past on George’s Island, July 20-21.
Twenty more events are scheduled to showcase locally grown and produced food items, including fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, breads and beverages.
“There is real momentum around choosing local,” said Agriculture Minister John MacDonell. “Since Select Nova Scotia launched six years ago, awareness of buying local has increased 33 per cent among Nova Scotians and farmers’ markets are popping up all over the province. The Incredible Picnics are another example of how local food helps connect us to our farmers and our community.”
Some events are sit-down suppers, while others are picnic style. Picnic-goers can try delicious local foods from vendors and enjoy live entertainment and children’s activities.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase local products at Tatamagouche’s Incredible Community Picnic,”
said Angus Bonnyman, a picnic organizer, wild blueberry grower, and Select Nova Scotia partner. “They include barbequed Pork Shop sausage, summer salads from local farms, Propeller sodas, my own spray-free wild blueberry shortcakes, and Scotsburn ice cream.
“This year all proceeds will be used to support the breakfast programs at local schools.”
The Tatamagouche picnic is being held Aug. 11, on the lower lawn of Bonnyman House.
Other picnics locations are:
–Clare Curling Association Picnic, Meteghan, Digby Co., July 27
–Chestico Days Lobster Dinner, Port Hood, Aug. 1
–Loch Broom Log Church Picnic, Loch Broom, Pictou Co., Aug. 3
–Cape Breton Farmers Market, Coxheath, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Aug. 5
–Dempseys Corner Orchards Picnic, Aylesford, Kings Co., Aug. 10
–Glenwood Drive Community Garden Picnic, Truro, Aug. 10
–Bridgewater Growing Green Sustainability Festival, Wile’s Lake Farm Market, Aug. 17
–Incredible Picnic and Sausage BBQ, Halifax, Aug. 18
–Musquodoboit Farmers’ Market Picnic, Musquodoboit Harbour, Halifax Regional Municipality Aug. 18
–Wedgeport Tuna Tournament and Festival, Lower Wedgeport, Yarmouth Co., Aug. 23
–Hubbards Barn Picnic, Hubbards, Municipality of the District of Chester, Aug. 25
–Harvest for Hunger Picnic, Masstown, Colchester Co., Aug. 25
–Tri County Local Food Network Picnic, Yarmouth, Sept. 8
–Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission Picnic, Dartmouth, Sept. 14
–Avondale Garlic Fest, Newport Landing, Hants Co., Sept. 21
–Lunenburg and Queens Federation Picnic, Caledonia, Queens Co., Sept. 21
–Antigonish Fall Harvest Picnic, Antigonish, Sept.21
–Blockhouse School Picnic, Blockhouse, Lunenburg, Co., Sept. 22
–Eikelenboom’s Picnic, Rines Creek Vineyard, Hants Co., Aug. 10
Select Nova Scotia, which supports the Incredible Picnics, is the province’s Buy Local marketing initiative. It creates partnerships with food producers, processors, retailers, food service providers and consumers, and promotes the sale and consumption of food grown and produced in Nova Scotia. More picnic information is available at www.selectnovascotia.ca.
Source: Release