N.B. hoping to score hungry visitors with food tourism strategy

Come for the wild blueberries, stay for the province?

The department of tourism, heritage and cultureis hoping to lure hungry visitors to New Brunswickand is drawing up a food tourism strategy in order to do so.

About 150 farmers, food producers, chefs and restaurateursmet in Fredericton on Wednesday to brainstorm the plan and talk about what the province would look like as a food destination.

Rebecca Mackenzie, one of the forum's leaders, is a food tourism consultant with the Culinary Tourism Alliance. She said New Brunswick is an ideal place to try and market tofoodies.

Mackenzie cites the province's wild blueberries, maple syrup industryand seafood like lobsters, salmon and clams as culinary assets.

"I think what's really important is pride in place and I think that New Brunswick has a wealth of incredible ingredients from the land, the lakes and the ocean," she told CBC Radio'sShift.

"All the ingredients are here. It's just about pulling it all together."

Search for an 'authentic food' experience

Wednesday's forum largely celebratedwhat is grown, raised and caught here, withdiscussionsabout local ingredients, success stories and how the area could be marketedabroad.

The hope is to take what was learned at the forum and apply it to the strategy.

Mackenzie wants greater relationships fostered between all of the food producers and advocates in New Brunswick and forthose withexperience to step up andhelp up-and-comers.

Shift - NB7:41Luring tourists to New Brunswick with food

Rebecca Mackenzie of the Culinary Tourism Alliance on efforts to develop tourism by linking local farmers and restaurants

It's the province's latest food tourism forum, aftera similar summit was held inShediaclast March, aimed at attracting culinary visitors tosoutheast New Brunswick.

Mackenzie has implemented successful food tourism programs in Ontario, most notablyPrince Edward County's Taste Trail.

"We know that travellers are looking at immersing themselves through a destination through the lens of that terroir, that authentic food and drink experience."

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She said New Brunswickhas therecipeneeded for food tourism success.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think it could happen."