Buy SA Week was launched today by Trade Minister Joe Szakacs at Romeo’s Foodland Royal Park.

Special thanks to Mumamoo, Olgas Fine Foods, Big Shed Brewing and Mischief’s Brewing who came along to talk about what supporting local means to their businesses, the community and economy, as well as Food South Australia and FruChocs for supplying South Australian products with tastings and giveaways.

South Australians are encouraged to get behind the state this week with the launch of Buy SA Week which will shine a light on South Australian products, celebrating all things local with exciting special offers, product sampling and competitions from South Australian brands.

Held in the same week as The Showdown, Buy SA Week (Monday 12 to Sunday 18 August) will build upon the momentum of footy fever in the state, hosting a week of activities that encourages consumers to purchase South Australian products.

Market research shows 90 per cent of South Australians believe it is important to buy local (up six per cent compared to pre-campaign statistics). 90 per cent of South Australians now also associate the state logo as a marker for local goods (up from 72 per cent).

Buy SA Week will build upon the campaign with a concentrated period of activities including:

* A promotional program, including sampling from local South Australian brands across shopping centres and supermarkets in the state, including in Rundle Mall, in partnership with Food SA

* A cooking demonstration at Adelaide Central Market’s Community Kitchen at 11.00am on Friday 16 August, presented by Nabula Brdar from Supermarket Swap and Chef, food stylist and former Masterchef contestant Larissa Sewell, focused on using healthy, affordable family meals with in-season, local produce

* Activations and giveaways at next weekend’s Showdown on Saturday 17 August

* A consumer competition on Brand SA’s social media channels, with a major prize worth $1,995 including tickets to the Showdown Zone at the AFL Showdown, merchandise packs for each club and an SA hamper full of products.

Buy SA Week is a celebration of all things local, and Brand SA encourages all South Australian businesses to get involved by running special offers, consumer promotions, giveaways and sampling activities throughout the week.