CURWENSVILLE – Imagine going to a local store for food and choosing what you buy on whether or not it has a seal on it. Why would this seal matter? This hypothetical seal means this product was either grown or made within Clearfield County, and in the future this scenario may not be so hypothetical.
The seal is only a recent addition to a larger idea, turning Clearfield County into a brand of sorts that would promote supporting local products as well make Clearfield products alluring to tourists. An idea was first pitched to Clearfield County Farm Bureau by then commissioner candidate, now commissioner, Joan Robinson-McMillen.
McMillen stated during the meeting that part of her inspiration for the program was being a mother and shopper. When asked if there were any other inspiration she mentioned a trip to an area’s farmer’s market that sold bananas.
“We need to brand our products so people know it was grown in Clearfield County,” said McMillen.
Farmer’s markets tend to give off a feeling of being local products. While most understand that banana trees aren’t exactly plentiful in Pennsylvania, seeing them leaves open the question about the other produce. Branding Clearfield County products would aid those who wish to help the area producers.
The other side of the idea, tourism, hopes to capitalize on Clearfield County’s natural feel rather than trying to change Clearfield County in order to attract people.
“We should be capitalizing on the rural atmosphere,” said McMillen.
In other words make people come to Clearfield because of what it already has, and hopefully take some genuine Clearfield County products home as souvenirs. Producers would be given official seals, once designed, to place on their products themselves once the program gets up and running.
“There are so many things grown in Clearfield County that we should be patronizing,” said Richard Hansel of the Clearfield County Farm Bureau.
A display setup showcased some of the local products that served as examples. Glory’s Homestead Fudge, milk bottles from Durrandetta’s store, Gram’s Jams and Jellies to name of the few and many.
As the original plan related strongly to the agricultural producers in the area it was pitched to the Clearfield County Farmers Bureau to work on the branding hopefully alongside with the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Director, Sandy Fink-Barrett. Currently only CCFB has been working on the project, and McMillen stated when talked to outside of the meeting she would talk to Fink-Barrett on the issue Monday.
However, while starting with produce it doesn’t necessarily have to always focus around just the agricultural corner of Clearfield County.
“If it is produced here we should support it,” said Hansel.
An invitation was extended by Richard Hansel to any who wished to help the Clearfield County Farm Bureau in the branding that they should contact him at (814) 378-6016.