Economic Nutrition
Show where the money goes.
Every day, businesses across the Fundy Coast and Foothills make decisions that strengthen our communities.
They hire local people.
They buy from nearby suppliers.
They invest in their towns.
They create places where people gather, connect, and belong.
Those choices matter. But until now, they haven't been easy to see.
As the Fundy Coast & Foothills Regional Cohort Partner, Friends of Fundy & the Fundy Partnership is excited to bring the Economic Nutrition Certification to our region.
What is Economic Nutrition?
The Economic Nutrition Certification Mark reveals the economics beyond price for any certified product or service: what every dollar paid for and where it went.
Modeled after food nutrition labels, the Economic Nutrition Certification Mark uses data to tell the story of the people and places behind every product and service and illustrates your commitment to economic stewardship in your community. It helps employees make more informed decisions that better align with your business’s values, and it helps your customers make purchases that better align with theirs.
Economic Nutrition is an initiative of the Shorefast Institute for Place-Based Economies. The certification mark reveals the economics beyond price for any certified product or service: what every dollar paid for and where it went.
Is It Right for My Organization?
Economic Nutrition is designed for organizations of all sizes, including:
-
Tourism operators
-
Retail businesses
-
Restaurants
-
Accommodations
-
Manufacturers
-
Professional services
-
Non-profit organizations
-
Municipalities
-
Community organizations
If your organization wants to better understand and better communicate its contribution to the community, we'd love to talk with you!
Join the Fundy Coast & Foothills Cohort
Interested?
We're currently speaking with businesses and organizations interested in joining the Fall 2026 cohort.
Whether you're ready to participate or simply curious about the program, we'd be happy to answer your questions.
Contact us at office@friendsoffundy.ca to learn more about the fall cohort or visit economicnutrition.com/become-certified/
Stories from our Region
The best way to understand Economic Nutrition is to hear from businesses that have experienced it.
We'll be sharing stories from organizations across the Fundy Coast and Foothills as they discover what their Economic Nutrition labels reveal.
What if Every Dollar Told a Story?
When we talk about building stronger communities, we often talk about the things we can see.
New businesses opening their doors.
Local events bringing people together.
Young families choosing to stay.
Visitors discovering our trails, shops, restaurants, and experiences.
But beneath all of those visible signs of a thriving place is something much harder to see:
Where does the money go?
Sussex Ale Works: Community is the Heart of Our Business. Now We Can Show It.
When we opened Sussex Ale Works, we weren't just opening a brewery. We wanted to create a place where people could gather, connect, celebrate, and enjoy something crafted right here in our community. Every single decision we've made from the ingredients we source to the events we host has been guided by a simple question:
How can we contribute to making this place we call home stronger?
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't buy everything locally?
That's okay! Economic Nutrition isn't about achieving a perfect score or keeping every dollar local. It's about understanding your organization's economic impact and using that information to make informed decisions over time.
Can non-profits and municipalities participate?
Absolutely. Economic Nutrition is designed for businesses, non-profits, municipalities, and other organizations that want to better understand and communicate their economic impact.
Is the program difficult to complete?
It will take time and effort, but it isn't difficult as most organizations already have the information needed through their accounting records. The Shorefast team provides guidance throughout the process, and participants learn alongside others in the cohort.
How much time does it take?
The certification program runs over approximately three months and is designed to fit around busy schedules.
Ready to Learn More
If you'd like to explore whether Economic Nutrition is right for your organization, we'd love to hear from you.
There's no commitment, just a conversation.