ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

educate visitors about the agricultural heritage of Erie County (and all of
Western New York). Information already present under the Convention and
Visitors Bureau should be consolidated into an all­agriculture resource, to
include the Vineyards and Wine Trails, the Gardens Nature Tourism, as well
as incorporate new possibilities. The Bureau is poised to network with local
media to promote visits to local rural or urban farms as sites of interest for
those touring Buffalo or Erie County.
New components to already existing but scattered local agriculturally
based tourism initiatives may include the clustered nature of dairy producers
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classes, for example, to be a compelling and unique pull into the attractive
and rural landscape of Western New York.
19. Create Countywide Branding of Local Food (Medium Priority)
Erie County could effectively harness the more recent popularity of
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consolidated, county­wide trademark registration for locally­produced food
also has the advantage of protecting individual local farmers from possible
disputes that may arise if they inadvertently use an image too similar to a
protected image belonging to a large company such as a distributor, which
has the resources to police their trademarks. Individual farmers lack the
time and resources to make sure any attempt they make at branding is not
infringing on anyone else’s, or that any trademark they make and use is
protected against outside infringement. The previously mentioned Food Hub
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produced and processed foods.
A countywide brand, with an accompanying logo for Erie County
food would help distributors and consumers easily identify which products
are locally grown or processed. A local brand would not only appeal to
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it would incorporate an element of education to market local foods. Local
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