The Brighter Together Food Journey will showcase the work of local farms and food producers in southern Alberta. (Photo 121936825 © Alexander Raths | Dreamstime.com)

By Justin Goulet

Brighter Together Food Journey returns to Lethbridge for second year

Aug 23, 2023 | 11:47 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The second Brighter Together Food Journey is taking place in Lethbridge this week.

It’s an initiative from Tourism Lethbridge, Lethbridge & District Exhibition, and Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL). It aims to highlight the people, producers and passion of farmers and food processors from and in southern Alberta.

The Brighter Together Food Journey will have attendees from local organizations tour Canada’s Premier Food Corridor (CPFC) with guests from different government agencies, site selectors, meeting and event planners, as well as local and external media and social media influencers.

The guided tour will highlight locally grown products while showcasing some of the food processing techniques from local farms and businesses.

The 2023 tour, set for Thursday, August 24, will include stops at Farming Smarter, Thrive Honey, Perry Farms, and the Coulee Plant Walk at Lethbridge College. The day will start off with a tour of the new Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre at Lethbridge & District Exhibition.

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Mike Warkentin, CEO of Lethbridge & District Exhibition said, “We can’t wait to welcome the world to this new state-of-the art venue, and this event will help highlight the role the Agrifood Hub and Trade Centre will play in showcasing our region when it comes to agriculture, agri-food processing, tourism and meetings and events.”

He added, “The combination of an event like this, taking place during Whoop-Up Days, will give visitors to our region a better understanding of the collaboration and potential for economic growth in Lethbridge and the surrounding region.”

Once attendees have completed the tour for the day, they can attend a VIP reception and networking event in the Lakeview Salon at Lethbridge & District Exhibition.

CEO of Tourism Lethbridge, Erin Crane said, “The power of the Brighter Together Food Journey is twofold. It’s a chance to show off our region and truly demonstrate how southern Alberta feeds the world, and just as important, connect local businesses to a new audience.”

Crane stated, “The conversations taking place on the bus as we weave our way down the highways and gravel roads can lead to new ideas and opportunities for growth in our region in a multitude of ways.

Recently, EDL received funding from all levels of government for its agri-food cluster development initiative. It is aimed at promoting investment and awareness in CPFC.

Officials said the program was made possible thanks to a federal investment of nearly $700,000 over three years through the Community Economic Development and Diversity (CEDD) program.

Trevor Lewington, CEO for EDL said, “Funding from our government partners combined with contributions from each of the 4 other CPFC members (Lethbridge County, Town of Coaldale, MD of Taber and Town of Taber) will make sure we promote the message that if you’re in the business of food, you need to be here, in southern Alberta to a global audience.”

PrairiesCan administers the program in the Prairies. Its goal is to support economic development initiatives that help community grow and diversify.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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