Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are encouraged to join other Atlantic Canadians in the Eat Atlantic Challenge on September 4 and pledge to eat only local and Atlantic Canadian food products for one day.

"It�s important for consumers to be aware of where their food comes from and the wide variety of food products that are available close to home," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. "Eating locally and regionally grown produce is good for the economy by ensuring more of our food dollars go directly into the pockets of the men and women who make a living producing food in our region and creating jobs."

The website features links to an Eat Atlantic Challenge Facebook site, Twitter feeds and a youth website where children can learn about where their food comes from, as well as enter to win a bicycle. Those who pledge to take part in the challenge automatically qualify for a chance to win a gift basket of Atlantic foods, valued at $250.

Co-op food stores launched the first Eat Atlantic Challenge in 2008. The chain has 11 food stores in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The whole idea of the Eat Atlantic Challenge is to get people thinking about the foods they eat and also to realize how easy it is to choose to eat regional produce," said Minister Dunderdale. "This is the same concept as our own provincial agriculture awareness campaign, Buy Fresh, Buy Local. We hope that people will decide to continue to choose local produce long after the challenge is over."

- 30 -

Media contacts: