Economic Development Cowichan is working in partnership with the Small Scale Food Processor Association to help food producers and processors reach new opportunities.
The current project will include engagement with regional food producers and processors, education and health institutions, beverage-sector producers and others to quantify demand for local food inputs and new production opportunities. The second phase will outline the infrastructure needed to support increased shared food processing partnerships.
As one of the island’s top food-producing regions, Cowichan has been proactive in looking into new and innovative strategies to support and grow the agri-food sector. In 2014, a sectoral strategy provided recommendations to advance food processing and food security in the region which led to initiatives such as an Incubator Seed Farm, Food Recovery Program and Land Match Program.
Creating a detailed Food Processing Action Plan for the Cowichan Region responds to the current opportunities and the ongoing challenges of making food production more competitive and sustainable on Vancouver Island. The project aims to create a blueprint for infrastructure options and potential collaborations with a long term objective to support the establishment of a local food hub.
Forecasted for completion in April 2020, the project is supported by Economic Development Cowichan, Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC and Island Coastal Economic Trust.
For further information please contact:
Candice Appleby, Executive Director
Small Scale Food Processor Association
Tel. 1.866.547.7372 / info@ssfpa.net
Barry O’Riordan, Special Projects Assistant
Economic Development Cowichan
Tel. 250.746.7880 Ext. 246 / barry.oriordan@cvrd.bc.ca
