The BC Cranberry Marketing Commission has a new chair. Jack Brown has stepped down as chair, handing the reins to Kalpna Solanki, who said she has “big shoes to fill” when her appointment was announced at the commission’s annual general meeting March 3. The change is effective today (March 10). Solanki is CEO of the …
NEWS
Top marks for food safety
Canada has scored top marks for the quality and safety of its food supply. According to The Economist Intelligence Unit – the same organization responsible for ranking Vancouver among the world’s most livable cities – the country earns top marks for safety net programs ensuring access to food, nutritional standards and protein quality. These are …
Government steps in to help tree fruit industry
The province is stepping in to assist BC’s struggling tree fruit growers. “Our government is committed to the lasting sustainability of the tree fruit industry,” BC agriculture minister Lana Popham told the annual general meeting of the BC Fruit Growers Association, February 25. “That commitment means working with you going forward on a new tree …
Non-BC market vendors approved
BC Association of Farmers Markets members have approved a special resolution to permit food vendors based within Canada but outside BC to sell at farmers markets in the province. The resolution, passed at the association’s annual general meeting March 2, will benefit markets near the Alberta border. Several markets have faced a limited selection of …
Grant funding for nutrient management projects
Shuswap farmers and landowners can improve their nutrient management strategies with funding from the Shuswap Watershed Council. SWC’s Water Quality Grant Program is accepting applications until April 30 for projects focused on the valley bottoms of the Shuswap and Salmon rivers. “One of the SWC’s primary objectives is to protect and maintain the water quality …
SlaughterRight training launched by ag ministry
VICTORIA – SlaughterRight is the province’s new, mandatory training program for on-farm meat plants following consolidation of meat inspection within the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. The agriculture ministry took over inspection of D and E class facilities December 1. Regional health authorities previously oversaw training and inspection. “[The ministry] is now implementing …