New Squamish Lillooet Food and Farm Hub Feasibility Plan aims to support Sea to Sky farmers and food producers

This release is from the newsroom of 

The District of Squamish and The Squamish Food Policy Council (SFPC) of Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) are collaborating on the development of a new Squamish to Lillooet Food and Farm Hub Feasibility Plan. The initiative, supported by the Squamish to Lillooet Regional District aims to bolster local food businesses, strengthen the agri-food industry, and foster food self-reliance in the Sea to Sky Corridor. Farmers and food processors are invited to complete an online survey through August 15.  

“Growing local food is essential to ensuring a healthy and resilient food system and creating a local food hub, if feasible, could help to strengthen our region’s food security and have positive local economic impacts,” says District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford. “Food producers and processors are an integral part of our regional food landscape and so we are hoping to engage with the groups to hear ideas and identify needs and barriers to establishing a thriving and sustainable agri-food industry.”   

Thanks to funding from the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), Squamish CAN and the District of Squamish will lead this project, moving the Squamish Valley Agriculture Plan (SVAP) forward.

“A Farm and Food Hub in the Sea to Sky Region would bring many benefits to local farms, farmers and the community,” says Farm and Food Hub Feasibility Plan Steering Committee Member and farmer Ariella Falkowski. “Creating opportunities from assisting with delivery and distribution, to designating centralized drop-off points and providing shared services and infrastructure would allow farmers and producers more time to do what they do best – make and grow local food.” 

The Food and Farm Hub Feasibility Plan will assess the challenges faced by farmers and food businesses in our community as well as identify the necessary infrastructure and support required for a food and farm hub network. This includes the establishment of shared kitchens, distribution services, storage facilities, and more. The Plan builds upon previous recommendations and aligns with the values of the SFPC's Good Food Program and Squamish CAN's mission to promote sustainable and inclusive community development. Sea to Sky farmers and food processors are encouraged to complete the survey before August 15.

For more information about the Squamish to Lillooet Food & Farm Hub Feasibility Plan and how to participate, please visit investsquamish.ca/about/our-projects/farm-and-food-feasibility-plan or contact gabriela@squamishcan.net

July 20, 2023