Food Hub Pilot Project

Food Hub Updates

Interested in being part of the food hub?

Contact us at foodhub@kamloopsfoodpolicycouncil.com

Feasibility Study and Pilot Project

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct this combined pilot and feasibility research project! Read the official news release here.

In addition to feasibility research and the development of a business model, funding covers a four-month pilot project to test the best ways to support small food businesses and to expand food processing in our region. The pilot is currently providing business mentorship and workshops to five local food producers.

The pilot project is offered in partnership with Kamloops Innovation, Tapestry Evaluation, and TRU. Kamloops Innovation will draw on their experience offering mentorship and community building with the tech community and broaden this out for application with food businesses. Robyn McLean, principal at Tapestry Evaluation, will be the Food Hub Project Manager, overseeing the food hub coordinator and feasibility research.

Participating Pilot Businesses

Nicole – Salty Fig Catering Company 

Salty Fig Catering Company specializes in gourmet cuisine that features adventurous locally sourced foods.

Nic and Kent – Local Pulse

Local Pulse produces high protein meals, such as cereal and instant hummus, for people who are on the go.

Lizzy, Josh, and Shelby – Forest Foods

Forest Foods processes non-timber forest products, such as morel mushrooms, to draw attention the importance of maintaining and caring for the whole forest.

Ali – Honest Elixirs

Honest Elixirs makes superfood drink mixes, such as salted hot chocolate, that are nourishing and delicious.

Naomi – Wild Mountain Jun 

Wild Mountain Jun creates handcrafted jun kombucha which is mindfully brewed with seasonal influences.

This study grew out of a project, led by the Kamloops Food Policy Council and supported through the Real Estate Foundation, which brought government and community partners together to figure out how to implement the many food policies that have been created for our region. This food hub funding from the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture is considered an early success and grew out of the goal to increase food processing facilities in the region.

This success is thanks to the Food Hub Working Group members, including representation from:

  • the City of Kamloops (multiple departments)
  • Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development — Regional Economic Operations
  • Kamloops Innovation
  • Venture Kamloops
  • Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations
  • Skeetchestn Natural Resources Corporation
  • Farm to Chef
  • Kamloops Organic Buying Club
  • Kamloops Public Market Coop

Media

KFJC – Public invited to provide input on future of Kamloops Food Hub

KFPC News Release – Innovative Food Hub Project Awarded Provincial Grant

Radio NL – Kamloops Food Hub Pilot Project Seeking 6 Local Businesses to Join the Initiative

Infotel – The future of food processing is coming to Kamloops

Kamloops Matters – Businesses invited to take part in Kamloops food hub pilot project

Kamloops This Week – Grant offers food for thought in Kamloops