Want to increase sales? Offer canning classes

Several retailers, such as Fortinos in Ontario and farmer's marketssell tomatoes by bulk - there are many consumers who will take thetime to can their own tomatoes.

Some will do it because they want to feel close to the earth; othersdo it for fun or because they are devoted foodies and some feel theyget better value for their families by processing their own foods.

For whatever reason it is important that retailers know who theircustomers base is and that they strive to service them.

Clam shells not for everyone

While the grocery industry has been pushing clamshells for quite sometime many smaller retailers, boutique shops and farmers markets stilloffer in bulk - it might be wrapped in tissue paper, offers in aplastic wrap or offers in some interesting basket (which no theconsumer does not get to keep).

BC Second Largest Growing Region

Blueberries are an important crop in British Columbia and contributesignificantly to the provincial economy.

Last year (2008), over BC 650 blueberry growers harvested close to 80million pounds of blueberries on 17,000 acres of some of the richestfertile farmland in North America.

This makes British Columbia the largest producer blueberries in Canadaand the second top producing region in the world ... and stillgrowing.

What is equally remarkable about this industry is that it is more than90% owned and operated by Indo-Canadians. Now run by the second andthird generations of the original families, these state-of-the-artfarms sit like jewels in the agricultural landscape of the FraserValley.

ZESPRI offers up amazing trip to a lucky Canadian

http://www.thegreatkiwiadventure.com/

ZESPRI kiwifruit has gone all out with a season long promotion to generate interest in New Zealand - the birthplace of hayward kiwifruit. The promotion has been running since June and will finish up in November. Open only to Canadians (excluding those living in the province of Quebec) consumers simply have to go on line, register, answer a few questions and they are entered. 

While they are on the microsite they can also enjoy some fun games and activities.

Quick and easy way to sample

Each time I visit the Jean Talon Market in Montreal I am struck my howaggressively the vendors push their produce - and what is best - theyalmost always do it by taste.