Creston food hub opens

A long-awaited food hub officially opened its doors in Creston on October 15, the fruition of eight years of discussion, study and advocacy on the part of locals.

Spearheaded by Fields Forward Society of Creston, the Kootenay Farms Regional Food Hub and Innovation Centre provides local growers and processors with processing equipment and facilities, an aggregation and distribution service, and sales support. Businesses will rent the equipment or hire Fields Forward’s staff on a fee-for-service basis.

The province gave $500,000 to Fields Forward and the Regional District of Central Kootenay this spring to finalize development of the food hub, which locals have been advocating for since 2013. The province is providing a total of $800,000 over three years to support the initiative.

In addition, the Columbia Basin Trust contributed $150,000 to purchase commercial-grade equipment for the facility. The funding follows on previous allocations to support feasibility studies.

“The Columbia Basin Trust has provided Fields Forward with tremendous support over the last three years. We couldn’t have succeeded with this Food Hub initiative without their ongoing interest and support in food security and farming,” says Elizabeth Quinn, executive director of Fields Forward.

The hub is one of six now operating in the province, with an additional six set to come online in the coming months as part of the province’s $5.6 million food hub network.

All hubs are being considered as locations for mobile seed cleaners being developed under the aegis of Vancouver-based FarmFolk/CityFolk, which is leading a BC Seed Hub initiative funded by the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

The project is looking at the potential of adding in-hub infrastructure or mobile cleaning units at food hubs in different regions of the province.

“We have been able to build four mobile seed cleaners,” the society reported last week, expressing appreciation for provincial funding to do so. “In the not-so-distant future, these trailers will be housed at partner locations across the province.”

According to the province, those locations have yet to be determined.

“FarmFolk CityFolk are continuing to consult with different food hub operators to determine which facilities are most interested and appropriately located and sized to include seed processing equipment,” a statement from the agriculture ministry said. “At this time, the Kootenay Farms food hub is not involved but potentially could be in the future.”

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It provides for more than produce. It includes, eggs, meat and honey!

Good program. Additionally, I toured the Kelowna Food bank yesterday. They are serving about 12,000 people a month. Lots are working people.

I have seen people at the Saanichton markets asking if vendors take the coupons and being embarrassed when the vendor says no. Are there signs that are placed on the tables so people know who is part of the program and who is not?

You would have a slim choice of meat if you only get $27.00 .

“While it’s unfortunate that programs like this are necessary, I’m grateful they exist to support families and local farmers.”

Food stamps?

This should be made a little more accessible, especially for seniors

What exactly is this and how does it work? I've never heard of it before. How does this get applied to us who it's intended to help?

Christy Sakai its a week and if you to the markets you can get a small bag of carrots 5bucks, a few potatoes, usually a bag of apples are 5 bucks, and in summer you have fruit choices. Yes doesn't seem like alot but it could be stretched at the markets and remember its a week so really ypu going to use the whole bag of carrots in a week, probably not so you have something for the next week. Heads of lettuce 5 bucks. Every little bit does help when it comes to supporting local farmer and family.

This program has helped me afford local produce, as a senior. I am grateful for the assistance and eat a healthier diet.

I have been a working poor and 🙏👍for recognizing the people who deserve a bit of help as they are doing the best they can 😘👍

This sounds a little more complicated to enroll in than it needs to be. A lot of people probably never heard of it, I only did because I read this post.

It is illegal for me to grow a garden . We can all afford to eat if we can grow.

How does a senior apply?

On my smalltown the food bank puts your name in a lottery for this Seniors included in lottery

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Glad to see this continue. With the increase in cost of living, this program should be increasing, not staying even with last year. Our local food bank is inundated with need.

It’s a great program. Too bad they won’t extend it to Farmstands as well. Some producers can’t make it to market because of work schedules. And there is more than just vegetables out there.

Where do people apply? Thinking of those I know who need this program.

Have you got an email yet?

I wish a person on disability could get the help too :(

What cities have this

I didn’t know that the program existed

Please if you have these coupons do not be embarrassed to use them they are a good as anyone's money to a grower! I would agree it is a slippery slope to have people pay with government coupons but Remember large scale agriculture is subsidized in this country in way that dwarfs this little program. We are all in a sense are paying with coupons at the big supermarket. As a small scale grower grower I can tell you when you see the higher prices at the farmers market, no one is getting rich off you. That is the true cost of food. Yes that should scare you

Excellent work, BC Ministry of Health! 👍👍👍 An amazing program

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