The recently developed regional food tourism brand Taste Real-Guelph Wellington has received $72,500 in Ontario Market Investment funding from the province.
The brand was developed in partnership with Guelph Wellington Local Food and OMAFRA through an initiative that involved 44 tourism and agriculture stakeholders from Guelph and all seven Wellington County municipalities.
“The Taste Real Guelph-Wellington concept brings all of our region’s food, culinary, and agricultural experiences together under one umbrella brand, simplifying the process of reaching our target audiences in the GTA and Southern Ontario,” stated project coordinator Kathryn Cooper, who added that the brand was built comprehensively through the input and cooperation of the industry stakeholders.
A website, www.tastereal.ca, provides additional information about the operation and its supporters.
The provincial funding will assist the stakeholders in raising brand awareness at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and other trade shows, promote local foods at festivals and events in Guelph-Wellington, and connect stakeholders through the development of food events, tasting tours and culinary programs throughout the region.
