Destination Canada recently announced the launch of Field to Fork, a Saskatchewan-Manitoba agritourism project, which will include the city of Brandon and surrounding area. Field to Fork is part of the Destination Canada Tourism Corridor Strategy Program, which aims to contribute to a more resilient tourism industry via accelerated destination development of multiple corridors across Canada. The corridor program will invigorate Saskatchewan and Manitoba’s tourism landscape, enticing visitors to discover the area’s diverse regions and contributing to a more dynamic and competitive tourism industry, states a Destination Canada press release issued late last month. As one of the largest and most productive agriculture regions in the world, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are primed to become global agritourism leaders. In Manitoba alone, the agriculture and agri-food sector directly contributed 7.2 per cent of provincial gross domestic product (GDP) and 5.1 per cent of provincial jobs or 37,015 direct jobs in 2023, according to Manitoba.ca. As the first-ever corridor that includes a culinary focus, Field to Fork will be developed with support from the Culinary Tourism Alliance with gateway cities including: Winnipeg, Brandon, Saskatoon and Regina. Visitors can gain a greater understanding and awareness of where our food comes from in Canada through farm-to-table culinary experiences, educational workshops, Indigenous agritourism and festivals. Agritourism also provides an opportunity for those attending business-related meetings or conventions to learn about industrial processes, their impact on society and the environment, and their role in shaping the economy. “Whether it’s annual events such as Manitoba Ag Days, which draw significant attendance numbers from outside the province, or culinary expertise with several local establishments showcasing local ingredients which are grown right in our own backyard, our city will greatly benefit from this corridor,” said Lanny Stewart, director of marketing and communications for Brandon Tourism. “This Field to Fork concept will generate a new, sustainable level of tourism that, in my opinion, could rival any agritourism sector around the world.”   Photo Credit - Ken Gillespie

So over the weekend it was well kind of boring and was doing accounting and schedule stuff and watching YouTube videos.  And a flash came over me to come up with a new monthly feature called Bits and Bites.   For the record I am kind of addicted to those things ..... great snack. Local business and news stories from Brandon. Highly anticipated Cora Breakfast and Lunch on 18th Street will open before the end of 2024. Vionell Holdings is in the process of expanding Rotary Villas and have a show suite available to see right now.   Also another Vionell project is the Edge 2 Building should be open July 1st. Darcy Willey new venture North America's first Hologram Zoo on Park Ave. should be open soon.  On line bookings and more info please refer to - https://www.facebook.com/nexgenfec KFC on the North Hill has reduced hours of operations from 24 hours a day to 9 am - midnight. Mobile Tech Lab located in the Corral Centre is now closed until further notice. Former Florida Panther second round pick and Brandon Wheat King defencemen Colby Robak has left Murray's to now be a full time trainer at FIT on 18th street.   Robak told BDNMB.CA that he is going to use the most modern methods plus some of the old school ideas to training his clients.   Former owner of FIT Jim Frederickson was a major influence on Colby. Photo Courtesy of C Train and Colleen Robak Any ideas please send your comments to darryl@bdnmb.ca or dwolski@2112hockeyagency.com    

Manitoba cyclist Grant Hamilton headed to Tour de France for leukemia charity ride BRANDON, Man. — Manitoba cyclist Grant Hamilton will ride the entire Tour de France route next year, raising money to Cure Leukemia. Hamilton announced today that he has been selected as one of 25 amateur cyclists from around the world for Tour 21, the only charity ride officially affiliated with the Tour de France. The fully supported ride, in France, will follow the same route and distance as the professional race, exactly one week earlier. Hamilton is the only Canadian rider in this year’s charity ride, and only the second one ever. “The Tour de France is the toughest challenge in pro sports — and thankfully I don’t have to race it, just ride it. Our goal through this challenge is to finish, while raising money that will help cure leukemia,” Hamilton said. “The ride is daunting, and I have months of gruelling training ahead, but what keeps me motivated is knowing that we will be funding clinical trials to help beat blood cancer.” After being hit by a car while biking two years ago, Hamilton turned to cycling advocacy, including the formation of Bike Brandon, a seat on the city’s Vision Zero committee, and securing federally funds to reearch active transportation and improved public spaces in Brandon. “Sports build community and cycling is a great example of that, whether you’re biking up the Alps or down the street to A&L,” Hamilton said. “We’re bringing that same community spirit to bear on leukemia fundraising.” Hamilton is covering the significant entrance fee and other costs of the ride out of pocket and has partnered with A&L Cycle in Brandon, as well as Trek Bikes, to assist with gear and training expenses. “We knew right away that we’d be thrilled to support Grant’s ride. He’ll be spending a lot of time on the bike over the next few months, and we’ll be there for every kilometre,” said A&L Cycle co-owner Cam Wirch. “One of the most rewarding parts of being a local business is lending a helping hand or wrench for the community. That’s part of our DNA at A&L and we found the same with Trek Bikes.” The ride is for an important cause: to Cure Leukemia. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it is estimated that 6,600 Canadians will be diagnosed with leukemia this year and 3,200 Canadians will die. “As a team, we are riding to raise £1 million that will go to funding clinical trials,” Hamilton said. “Those will have a direct and immediate impact on proving better treatments and getting us closer to a cure. My personal goal is to raise more than $55,000.” Anyone around the world can donate to Cure Leukemia in support of Hamilton’s ride. In Canada, a partnership with the Charities Aid Foundation ensures donors qualify for a tax receipt. Give online at CAFcanada.ca or directly at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/30925. Please make sure to select “Cure Leukemia” as the fund, and to dedicate your donation in honour of Grant Hamilton, to make sure your gift is properly credited. “The only thing I ask of donors is that you let me know!” Hamilton said. “The online platform doesn’t share your info with me, so when you drop me a line, I’ll be able to thank you properly for your support.” Hamilton is easy to find on social media or can be contacted by email at hamilton.grant@gmail.com. The 2025 Tour de France and Tour 21 charity ride to Cure Leukemia start in about nine months.  

A local pickup/delivery pizzeria is celebrating its s30th anniversary this year. Little Italy Pizzeria was started by Martin Dupuis in October of 1994. The popular pizza joint was originally located on Rosser Ave (323 Rosser Ave) until its move to 305-10th St in 2004. The business was sold in 2017 to a new ownership group (Farhan, Morgan & Saki). Martin felt comfortable handing over the keys to his business as the incoming owners had each been employed by the restaurant for several years. Over that time they had developed an extensive knowledge of both the menu and the customers. The secret behind Little Italy’s longevity lies in its commitment to quality. The menu, featuring a wide array of pizzas, pasta, oven baked subs, and appetizers, has remained true to its roots, with several new items sprinkled in a long the way. The owners have consistently fostered relationships with their customers, some of whom have been ordering pizza/pasta since day one. As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, they will be offering a free medium pizza (1-topping) with every food order of $35 or more (before taxes). To order online, please click here.

Manitoba Labour and Immigration advises the new provincial minimum wage of $15.80 is now in effect. Updated annually, Manitoba’s minimum wage is regulated through the Employment Standards Code. This year’s increase of 50 cents per hour raised the minimum wage to $15.80 from $15.30, based on a consumer price index of 3.5 per cent. For more information on the minimum wage and other employment standards, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards.