East Kootenay food producers are being asked to put their hands up to appear in a local food guide that will be printed in spring 2014.
The 4th edition of the East Kootenay Local Food Guide will contain a lit of local food producers between Creston and Golden and Fernie.
A collaboration of East Kootenay food action groups put out the guide, hoping it will make it easier for people to find a wide variety of locally produced food.
The most recent version of the food guide, from 2011, can be found at www.cranbrookfoodaction.com.
The new guide will be printed and available at local Farmers' Markets.
Food producers won't be charged to appear in the guide, as it's a non-profit initiative. Details from farmers is welcome until Feb. 20 by calling Shannon at 250-427-7981 or emailing shannongreyduncan@gmail.com.
"While connecting more people to local food, the guide helps increase the viability of producing local food and in the long term hopes to encourage more producers to start up," said Shannon Duncan.
"The only rule for being included is a direct connection to the food you are producing, including farms, ranches, and value added food products such as preserves or bread products."
A recent increase in the number of local food producers inspired the updated guide, along with an increase in public interest to support local food.
"If you are or know of a producer who is new or wasn't included in the original guide, this is a good opportunity for advertising your operation at no cost," said Duncan.
The The Cranbrook Food Action Committee, Creston Valley Food Action Coalition, Groundswell Network, and Slow Food Columbia Valley have collaborated on this joint venture since its inception. The area covered by the guide is expanding this year north to Golden.
The District of Invermere is sponsoring this project as part of their Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP), called Imagine Invermere 2030 (II 2030).