Canada's homegrown superfood set to take centre stage

Lowers cholesterol, easy-to-use, made in Canada - check it out at www.GoBarley.com

CALGARY, March 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Barley is finally getting the recognition it deserves with a new consumer website—www.GoBarley.com—a one-stop-shop for everything barley.

The website features over 60 brand new recipes from mains dishes to desserts, as well as a series of barley "how to videos" and multiple blog posts from nutritionists and foodies. Aimed at showing consumers just how versatile barley can be in our day to day cooking and baking, the website is part of a new market development initiative of the Alberta Barley Commission (ABC)—a grassroots, farmer-run organization for barley producers.

"We're excited about the new site and we think it does a great job of sharing barley's health benefits with consumers," said ABC Chairman Matt Sawyer, a farmer near Acme, AB. "We believe there is great potential to grow the food barley market and increase consumer awareness and demand for this healthy grain."

Canada's third largest crop, barley received approval from Health Canada for a new food claim which concluded that daily consumption of barley helps to reduce blood cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease. To help spread the word about the barley health claim as well as the new GoBarley.com website, the Commission has sent Market Development Manager Linda Whitworth on a cross-Canada barley blitz.

"Everywhere I go, people are excited to talk about barley," said Whitworth. "Barley is delicious and good for you. It's versatile and lends itself well to all types of dishes. Plus, it doesn't get much more local and healthy than barley."

Barley is low on the glycemic index and packed full of fibre that will help keep people feeling fuller, longer. You can cook pot or pearl barley in water or broth and add it to soup or salads—or substitute it in any dish where you would normally use rice or pasta. Barley flour has a rich, nutty-flavour and can contain more than three times the dietary fibre of enriched all-purpose flour. It can be found at bulk food stores, health stores and major grocery stores.

Gobarley.com also features partnerships with Canadian bloggers covering the other uses of barley such as malt barley used to produce beer. These blogs introduce consumers to Alberta's craft brewers and breweries as well as helpful tips for pairing food and beer.

About Alberta Barley Commission
Canada's only barley commission, the Alberta Barley Commission is a not-for-profit organization directed, funded and controlled by the province's 11,000-plus barley farmers. The Commission co-ordinates and sponsors research, market development, technology transfer and policy development on behalf of its producers.

SOURCE: Alberta Barley Commission

Will Lamont / Patrick Burke
Merkato Communications
416-915-4408 ext. 101 / 104
[email protected] / [email protected]