The provincial government is taking some of the guess work out of buying local.

The provincial government is launching a new buy local campaign today with a news conference at 11:00 at Urban Market in St. John’s.

Many Canadians are focused on supporting local business and producers, but what is actually local and how that’s determined is up for interpretation in many cases.

Minister responsible for the agriculture industry, Gerry Byrne says the province is developing a Farm Friendly seal that will be applied to locally produced grocery items.

Byrne recently met with local farmers and producers to discuss ways to help boost local awareness and to encourage local and national retail chains to stock more local products on store shelves.

He says local producers have often encountered difficulties getting their product to consumers through the major chains. He says government is working on a plan to help highlight local products and to encourage retailers to stock more local goods.

“Stock those goods on their shelves, so that people when they come into their stores they also can buy local. We’ll be expanding on that initiative in the coming weeks.”