SUPPORT LOCAL
T he “support local” sentiment is alive and well among Canadians in 2025, and Manitobans are embracing it in a big way. Soon after the new U.S. administration started threatening — and imposing — new tariffs on Canadian imports, many of us vowed to spend less on American products. The Manitoba government got in the game in early February, launching a “Support Manitoba. Buy Local.” campaign. Manitobans are following through, according to Food & Beverage Manitoba (FabMB), an industry-led, not-for-profit association that supports hundreds of food and beverage processing and associate members across the province. Executive director Michael Mikulak says members have been sharing that this January and BY JANINE LEGAL
The Manitoba government got in the game in early February, launching
February, traditionally the slowest months of the year, were some of the busiest they’ve ever had. Many shoppers these days are looking for localized packaging logos in stores, and they can easily identify FabMB’s purple and gold “Manitoba Made” stamp or the Blue Cow identifier on Canadian dairy products used by association members. Now, more than ever, consumers are leaning into it. “Retailers are proactively reaching out to us,” Mikulak says. Choosing to buy local is important for the long-term sustainability of the economy, according to Kelsey Marcotte, digital and content marketing specialist for WeMB, an organization that provides supports to women entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.
a “Support Manitoba. Buy Local.” campaign.
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15 SUMMER 2025
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