For Immediate Release – The Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark is pleased to have joined the international GEOfood initiative. We are preparing to roll out the GEOfood program in the spring of 2021 and will soon be hosting a series of information meetings for local producers, harvesters, restauranteurs, groceries, farmers’ markets and accommodation providers.

The GEOfood brand defines the “taste quality” based on local traditions and users, connected with geological heritage along with the history of the Geopark!

The support to local communities, as well as the holistic and bottom-up approach which characterizes the UNESCO Global Geoparks is the core of the GEOfood brand. This brand has its routes within the UNESCO Global Geoparks, and it can be used only to identify foods grown, produced or harvested within these designated areas. This unique branding is also a way to demonstrate/educate about how the geological conditions have a positive impact on the quality of the food.

GEOfood’s mission is to support the sustainable development of local communities, increasing the actions towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, the GEO food program impacts the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• Goal # 2 – Zero Hunger – achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
• Goal # 3 – Good Health and Well-Being – ensuring healthy living and promoting well-being.
• Goal # 12- Responsible Consumption and Production – ensure sustainable consumption and production practices.
• Goal # 14 – Life Below Water – conserve and sustainably use the ocean, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
• Goal #15 – Life on Land – protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems; sustainably manage forests, combat desertification; halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

The GEOfood initiative began in Norway and is widespread throughout Europe. The Cliffs of Fundy is the first Geopark in North America to adopt the GEOfood program. The GEOfood label and brand are well-known by international travellers and we anticipate this to be an excellent marketing tool for our local businesses once worldwide travel is resumes.

Branding local food products and restaurants with the GEOfood label is a means to support the Geopark´s local communities. Promoting sustainable food production activities in our local communities, increases the awareness of the importance of the soil, the landscape, and the cultural heritage. GEOfood is also becoming a unique tourist opportunity for authentic experiences that enrich both the body and the mind!

The more our local people become involved with the place and people that put quality food on their plates, the more they can understand and appreciate the roles of small producers and specific agricultural conditions that make their food possible. We can begin to feel more intimately connected with our surroundings and have a mindful approach in who we are supporting and what kind of health benefits we have from eating locally. In addition, there is less stress on the global environment and a reduced impact on climate change when food products do not have to be shipped great distances to the end consumer.

For information on the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark and our geosites, tourism packages and various suggested itineraries, visit our website at https://fundygeopark.ca. We can be reached at our main office at 902-641-2225 or by email at beth.peterkin@fundygeopark.ca and look forward to hearing from you.

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Beth Peterkin
Executive Director
Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark
beth.peterkin@fundygeopark.ca
902-641-2225

If you click on the GEOfood single pin, you get info about each Geopark and three pictures.