Denman Island farmers supported

Denman Island’s Gather Farm and Kitchen is this year’s recipient of the Mary Forstbauer Grant from the BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM).

The award was announced via social media on March 19, and will support owners Dennis Lightfoot and Kimberley Allan to expand their cool storage capacity.

“They’ll be able to grow their winter CSA, focus more on growing nutrient-dense grains and pulses, and supply their local food bank with nutritious dietary staples,” BCAFM says.

Gather Farm and Kitchen relocated to Denman Island from the Comox Valley in 2022. Lightfoot and Allan have a long history with farmers markets, as well as a vision for serving their community.

Lightfoot is a second-generation farmer. His parents ran Kirby Road Farm (now Amara Farm) in the Comox Valley until 2008 and were founding members of the local farmers market. The Lightfoots were vendors at the market for nearly 20 years prior to retiring in 2012.

Allan is a past president of the Comox Valley market and was an active supporter of its equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, which won it awards in both 2022 and again this year.

As vendors at the Denman Island Farmers’ Market, Lightfoot and Allan are “working to create stronger and more diverse food systems in their community,” BCAFM says.

The grant is just $500 but aims to support producers with new initiatives, including training, new equipment, staff and consultants that can make a big difference in their operations.

Applicants must reside and farm in BC and be vendors at BCAFM member markets.