GPS technology is bringing farmers and local food advocates closer together.
A new app by We Heart Local uses an iPhones GPS to help consumers find the closest restaurants and food suppliers that celebrate BCs agricultural bounty. Use it on your iPhone in Vancouver and one list will appear. Use it when youre travelling in the Fraser Valley or the Okanagan and youll be given different options.
Its showing theres a way to connect, says Reg Enns, executive director of the BC Agriculture Council, which helped develop the app. It continues the conversation after the farm gate.
Farmers love getting their fingers dirty, he says, not tapping on iPhones. But they also realize theres a genuine desire among consumers to be more aware about what theyre eating and where that food came from. This technology will be an effective tool in linking farmers to the people who appreciate and seek out their products.
And while Enns has to admit to not using the app because he doesnt have an iPhone, his wife loves it. Why? Its extensive list of recipes that highlight local foods.
The app, which includes a fun video of Erin Ireland visiting BC farms and wineries with The Acorns chef Brian Skinner, is only available on iPhones. All consumers, however, can Find Local on BuyLocalEatNatural.com.
