Who operates Nova Scotia Loyal?

Nova Scotia Loyal is the new buy local program of the government of Nova Scotia. The structure of the program was designed and built in close collaboration with a diverse range of Nova Scotian producers, retailers, and consumers.

What are the benefits of participating in Nova Scotia Loyal?

When enrolled with the Nova Scotia Loyal program, local producers and retailers will benefit from increased traffic to their business through a marketing campaign, in-store displays, advertising, and social media/web campaigns run by Nova Scotia Loyal. Consumers will recognize the Nova Scotia Loyal brand as a mark of supporting local businesses and will get rewarded for buying Nova Scotian products that are already a reward in themselves.

How are businesses selected for Nova Scotia Loyal Partnership?

All applications for partnership are reviewed carefully by a diverse group of decision-makers. Ultimately, if a producer or retailer meets all required pre-requisites, partnership is granted.

What will Nova Scotia Loyal consist of?

We will also attend local events and festivals to continue to raise awareness about the program, helping to build pride in our local producers and products and encouraging a shift in demand for and consumption of Nova Scotia products.

Making it easier for Nova Scotians to support each other

Nova Scotia Loyal is a government program designed to make it easier for Nova Scotians to identify, purchase, and support local products.

There’s a Story Behind Every Sticker

When you see a Nova Scotia Loyal sticker or tag on a product, you know that it’s authentically Nova Scotian.

It also means that product is rooted in a rich story of local entrepreneurship – a story which you can become a part of when you choose local.

How to Get Involved

Being Nova Scotia Loyal is about celebrating the diverse products and people that make Nova Scotia so vibrant. Whether you’re a consumer, retailer, or producer – Nova Scotia Loyal has a way to help you express your loyalty for local.

Consumers

You love supporting local businesses and purchasing local products.

Nova Scotia Loyal makes it easier for you to identify local products at retail and has a suite of consumer incentive options to reward you for choosing local.

Learn More

Producers

You are a local producer, harvester, crafter or manufacturer.

Looking to connect your product or business to a community of consumers who are incentivized to support it?

You may qualify to become a Nova Scotia Loyal Producer if:

Your head office is located in Nova Scotia, or is primarily (75%) owned by Nova Scotian residents.
Your business’s primary activity is the production or transformation of a product.
You are a Nova Scotia Producer who sells directly to consumers or retailers.

You can now apply to become a Nova Scotia Loyal partner and receive the Nova Scotia Loyal brand package to promote your products.

Apply Now

Food Service Providers

You operate an institution, restaurant or food distribution business.

Want to highlight that local products are offered by your business or used in your menu?

You may qualify to become a Nova Scotia Loyal Food Service Provider if your business:

Sells one or more product(s) provided by a Nova Scotian producer or use Nova Scotian product(s) as ingredients.
Operates a location within Nova Scotia.
Is authorized to conduct business in Nova Scotia.

You can now apply to become a Nova Scotia Loyal partner and receive the Nova Scotia Loyal brand package to promote the availability and use of local products in your business.

Apply Now

Retailers

You own a business that retails Nova Scotian products.

Want to help shine a spotlight on local products?

You may qualify to become a Nova Scotia Loyal retailer if your business:

Sells one or more products provided by a Nova Scotian supplier.
Is authorized to conduct business in Nova Scotia.
Has a permanent business location in Nova Scotia.

You can now apply to become a Nova Scotia Loyal partner and receive the Nova Scotia Loyal brand package to promote local products at your retail location.

Apply Now

Upcoming Events

Come say 'hello' to the Nova Scotia Loyal team in your community. Be sure to check back every so often for updated event listings!

Nov 19, 2025 - Dec 19, 2025

Evergreen Festival

Halifax / Kjipuktuk

Evergreen Festival is a 4-week-long outdoor winter celebration of Nova Scotian food, spirits, craft, art, and memorable experiences. Come out to meet our brand ambassadors!

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Nov 28, 2025

NSLC Sampling Tacoma Drive

Tacoma Drive Dartmouth

Stop by NSLC Tacoma Drive on Nov 28 from 11-3pm for a local tasting event.Enjoy samples from Nova Scotia wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Meet our brand ambassadors, who can teach you how you can support local! We’re proud to support Nova Scotia’s local beverage industry.

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Nov 28, 2025

NSLC Sampling Portland Street

Portland Street, Darmouth

Come out to NSLC Portland Street on Nov 28 from 4-8pm and sample a variety of locally made wines, spirits, and beer.Meet our brand ambassadors and discover new favourites from right here in Nova Scotia. Support local and explore the best of what our province has to offer.

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Stories Behind the Sticker

Nova Scotia is ripe with talented local producers making high quality and world class products right here at home. Discover the story of our entrepreneurs - a story which you can become a part of when you choose local.

Millen Farms, Little Dyke, Nova Scotia

Millen Farms is a family-owned sustainable berry farm in the heart of Nova Scotia.

Noël & Co., Kentville, Nova Scotia

Noël & Co. is a candle company with a simple mission: to create candles with a conscience.

Burnside Brewing Company, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Burnside Brewing Co. is a craft brewery founded by two no-nonsense, beer-loving guys with decades of industry experience between them.

Discover More

FAQ

Have questions regarding NSL? Find the answers to the most common ones below:

Nova Scotia Loyal is the Government of Nova Scotia’s buy local program. The program was designed in close collaboration with a diverse range of Nova Scotian producers, retailers and consumers. The program is dedicated to making it easier for Nova Scotians to identify and purchase local, while supporting and protecting local businesses.

Choosing local products isn’t just about supporting our local business operators; it’s an investment in the future of Nova Scotia. By looking for and choosing local products with Nova Scotia Loyal branding each time you shop, you help support and protect our local businesses. Together, Nova Scotia Loyal creates a movement that not only protects local jobs and communities but also keeps our dollars in Nova Scotia, builds a resilient economy, strengthens supply chains and supports the people who grow, make and sell right here at home.

To qualify as a Nova Scotia Loyal Producer, your business must have its head office in Nova Scotia or be at least 75% Nova Scotia-owned, primarily focus on production or product transformation, and sell directly to consumers or retailers. If you're a retailer, you may qualify to become a Nova Scotia Loyal retailer if your business sells one or more products from a Nova Scotian supplier, is authorized to operate in Nova Scotia, and has a permanent business location within the province.

For eligible local producers and retailers by becoming a Nova Scotia Loyal partner, you can benefit from creating new loyal customers for your product(s) and increased traffic to your business through Nova Scotia Loyal’s marketing campaign, in-store displays, advertising and social media/web campaigns. There is no cost to participate in the program. Once you are accepted as a Nova Scotia Loyal partner business you receive access to Nova Scotia Loyal branding and marketing materials shipped directly to you. The program objective is to make it easier for local consumers to look for and choose your local products wherever they shop.

The Nova Scotia Loyal team attends industry and consumer events across the province, as well as hosting local product sampling events with participating local markets and retailers to raise awareness about the program and support local producers. Check out the upcoming events section on the website to find out when our team is in your area.

Businesses with questions related to trade uncertainties can refer to the new online resource to access the latest information. Businesses are invited to complete a survey to help inform the province’s tariff response team by visiting https://novascotia.ca/tariffs Businesses can also contact the tariff information hotline directly by calling 1-800-670-4357 for assistance.

If you have questions and seek further information, please contact us through email at [email protected], reach out through our social media channels or call 902-424-0377

Making it easier for Nova Scotians to support each other

There’s a Story Behind Every Sticker