Verified Vendor program at Woodlands County aims to shine a light on local producers

Earlier in the year, the Woodlands County Economic Development Committee was approached
by several local agricultural producers who regularly attend area farmers markets and events
selling the goods they create, make or grow.
The group of producers presented their ideas to the committee in mid-March, detailing their
desire to have a way to be recognized as Woodlands County businesses. They felt that allowing
Woodlands businesses to identify as such would give them an advantage at markets and local
and regional events, allowing them to stand out as local producers.
Following that presentation, the Economic Development Committee asked Bert Roach, the
Economic Development Officer for Woodlands County, to develop a pilot program around a local
brand for Woodlands County businesses as a promotion for them and the Municipality-led
Business Directory.
In the meeting package for the June 19 Woodlands County Council meeting, Roach explained
that Woodlands County is going through a rebranding process. “We are also beginning an
initiative, based on our successful application to the Small Community Opportunities Program,
to better understand and help to overcome some of the hurdles faced by local agricultural
growers as they bring their goods into the local market.”
Roach explained that a pilot program would be simple to start and easy to track, giving them
data on whether or not a local vendor program would be effective. “If proven effective, we can
work on a more robust program for the long term, incorporating all that we have learned,” read
the package.
“We have two recommendations. One is that Council approves the development of the program
for 2024, which we would implement immediately and evaluate at the end of the year. As we get
into the budget cycle, we can determine whether or not that would continue into 2025,” said
Roach in the meeting.
The approximate cost for the pilot program is $2,000, which Roach said would come from
already allocated dollars within the Economic Development budget, set aside for advertising and
business retention, both of which match the Terms of Reference of the program, which states
the objective of supporting local businesses within Woodlands County.
Coined the Woodlands County Local Business Identification Pilot Program, the program will
allow a maximum of ten participating businesses to sign up with only two eligible criteria needed
to take part: being located within the geographic boundaries of Woodlands County and holding
a valid development permit registered with Woodlands County.
Businesses that sign up will receive a digital logo from the County, which they can use while the
program remains in effect. Under 6.1 of the Terms of Reference states, “verifying vendors is
important as it instills customer confidence that they are purchasing from legitimate local
businesses. This verification builds trust among consumers who want to support local farmers,
growers, producers, services and artists. When consumers see the Verified Vendor logo, they
can be confident that they are buying directly from the actual producers or artists, fostering a
stronger local economy.”

Reeve Kusch liked the program. “I think this is a great idea, Bert, and I hope this takes off.”
Roach said the program’s creation proves that committees help residents reach Council. “It’s
been a real testament to the effectiveness of our committee system and the way that we can
have our committees engage with residents and bring information and recommendations
forward to Council for your consideration.”
Roach said if Council approved the pilot program, they would start it immediately. Council voted
unanimously to approve it, putting the wheels in motion.
On June 26, the program was introduced on Woodlands County’s social media, encouraging
local vendors to sign up for the free program. Three days later, Twin Acres Greenhouse posted
to its socials that it was a Verified Vendor under the program, showing off the logo. “We are
proud to be local producers providing delicious produce for our community. Look for this sign at
markets to know that your items are made locally,” read the post.
Twin Acres Greenhouse owner Vanessa Long hopes this pilot program is a “good launching
point.” She said allowing people an easier way to know what’s local is crucial. “Local can be
Canadian. Local can be Albertan. Local can be from your town. At markets, it’s important to
know where your produce is coming from. We want to identify those that are truly local, as in a
geographical area. For us, ‘local’ is Woodlands. We are glad to be part of a program that
identifies growers within Woodlands County.”
Though she is a grower, that’s not all this program is for. “It’s not just growers as in those of us
producing vegetables or fruits or whatever, but it could also be those in any agricultural industry
or even tourism. It’s about identifying what is local and supporting local businesses.”
Long said she has experienced non-local vendors giving off a local look, which can confuse
buyers. “We see distributors coming from out of the province and bringing produce that is not
locally grown and they don’t know how it’s grown because they aren’t growing it. It’s no different
than buying in a grocery store at that point, but they are selling it as a farmers market as if it was
farmers market quality, and it’s not.”
She said giving businesses the means to identify themselves as local and having a logo that
buyers can learn to recognize is welcomed. “We see in the community that people want to
support local, but they don’t know who is local. Hopefully, this develops into a bigger project.”
Those interested in signing up under the Woodlands County Local Business Identification Pilot
Program can call the Woodlands County office at 780-778-8400 or email
ecdev@woodlands.ab.ca. The logo says “Rooted in Community, Growing Together. Woodlands
County Local Vendor.”