Central Okanagan

The growers of two varieties of apples that were first known as SPA493 and 8S6923 and then introduced to consumers as Salish and Aurora Golden Gala are now receiving Buy Local program funds to help promote these tasty new B.C. products.

Photo: Contributed - picocorp.com

Aurora Golden Gala apples.

The Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation (PICO) is receiving $25,000 to assist in building consumer awareness for the "Born in BC. Raised in the Okanagan" brand and the two apples that were launched in 2012.

PICO will also be using the funding to educate growers and retailers about the brand and consumers can look forward to in-store demos and increased promotional activities as the word gets out about these two new apples and the benefits of buying locally.

"Being from the Okanagan there is always a sense of pride when I see our local, high-quality fruits being shared with the rest of B.C. and the world. With an estimated $54 million in farm gate sales in 2012, the British Columbia apple industry has much to celebrate and I congratulate PICO on receiving this funding," says Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick.

The Buy Local program offers successful applicants matching funds up to $100,000 to launch or expand local food marketing campaigns.

The provincial government's Buy Local program is administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.