What is value-added agriculture?

Value-added means providing an enhancement to a product or service before it is offered to the public. In agriculture,the concept of value-adding provides an economic opportunity to a food producing region, better food security and less of an environmental footprint to the area that is able to grow, process and offer the process product directly into that same community.

Much of the current raw agriculture product is exported vast distances, processed elsewhere and shipped back as a finished sellable product that you purchase in your local grocery store. Value-adding keeps the entire process local until it is purchased by the consumer.

Transportation costs, fresher products and jobs in processing also provide a new economic opportunity that may not have existed before.

Developing food product value chains is more sustainably viable in the long term for a community. Value chains in any industry benefit and work in much the same way.

The Artisan Connection

We have been asked why we connect art and cultural vendors into the Bounty mix. Simply, when promoting the food products in the region, highlighting the region's art and culture complete the story of history and diversity of the business and residents, that call Sturgeon County home, showcasing where food is produced and processed. During a taste event, showcasing artisans makes the food tasting more of an experience and it provides a means of artisans and local business to become part of the local food experience.