Food and beverage producers will soon have more opportunities to grow their businesses while increasing food security in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary with the development of a new food hub with locations in Rock Creek and Greenwood.
The B.C. government is investing up to $750,000 to purchase food-processing equipment and cover other startup costs in partnership with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and the Boundary Community Ventures Association. These hubs will help small and medium scaled businesses the access to shared food and beverage processing space and equipment to increase their production and sales.
The BC Food Hub Network was developed to foster growth and innovation in the food processing sector via improved access to facilities, equipment, technology, technical services and business supports. The network is being developed in collaboration with industry, communities and post-secondary institutions to build provincial food and beverage processing while serving the regional and sector diversity of the province.
To better understand the food sector in BC. Did you know that;
* B.C.’s food and beverage processors produce more than $10 billion worth of value-added products each year.
* $5.6 million through StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan have been earmarked for the expansion of the BC Food Hub Network.
* Three food hubs are already operating in Vancouver, Surrey and Port Alberni, with additional hubs in Quesnel and Salmon Arm opening later in 2021.
* The BC Food Hub Network supports the establishment of a network of regional shared food processing and innovation hubs. The hubs increase value-added processing opportunities for producers and processors and advance innovation in B.C.’s food and beverage processing sector.
Additional information is available at the following website links:
StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan