A New Year's promotion clearly labelling Maritime beef and pork products was a success, say officials with the P.E.I. Cattlemen's Association.

Consumers were encouraged to buy local beef and pork products.
(CBC)

Dozens of Island grocery stores took part. Cattlemen's association executive director Rinnie Bradley told CBC News Tuesday a survey of meat managers this week shows customers responded positively and made a real effort to buy local.

"They did have consumers coming to particularly look for local product because of the promotion," said Bradley.

"One gentleman in particular said that he was going to continue to provide the local product in his store on a regular basis. They said there was a demand for the product and a lot of people were curious about the promotion: what it was all about, and asking questions about it."

Bradley said the promotion seemed to have the biggest impact in urban areas, because many rural grocery stores were already supplying a lot of local product.

The cattlemen's association is now considering making the promotion year-round.

Encouraging people to buy local produce has been suggested as a way to help livestock producers survive through hard times in the industry.