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By Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Lana Popham

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Food Hub will help Kamloops food scene grow

Feb 24, 2021 | 11:10 AM

HERE IN B.C., we are proud of our local food. From fruits and vegetables to locally raised meat, fresh-caught seafood to baked goods, snacks, beverages and much more, our province is bursting with quality food. And knowing that your meal is supporting B.C.’s farmers, ranchers and producers makes it even more delicious.

Now more than ever, our local food producers need support. As we all grapple with the challenges of the pandemic, strengthening our local food systems is more important than ever. Not only do our agriculture and seafood sectors create jobs, they also ensure that we will continue to have access to local food for generations to come. We all want our children — and their children — to be able to enjoy the same fresh, delicious, grown-in-B.C. food that we grew up with.

That’s why I’m so excited that our government is taking action to support food security in all regions of the province, including Kamloops. This week we announced a new food hub is coming to Kamloops, to give local producers and processors more opportunities to grow their business.

At a Food Hub, small- and medium-sized food businesses can use shared space and equipment to turn local food into delicious products that are ready for customers. While taking on the cost of their own production space might not be possible for an individual business, when that cost is shared among several other businesses, it becomes much more accessible, and new opportunities for growth open up.

This means people in Kamloops will find more locally grown and processed food in stores and restaurants and will see more jobs created in food production. Local farmers and ranchers will see increased demand as processors seek out fresh, local ingredients.

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Across the province, we are investing $5.6 million in start-up funds for seven new regional food hubs, including this one in Kamloops. It’s all a part of StrongerBC, our economic recovery plan. Since the beginning of the pandemic, our New Democrat government has been there to support the hardest-hit industries, and we are continuing to respond to the needs of people, businesses, and communities to build an economy that works for everyone.

Supporting the success and security of our local food industries is a win-win for people and businesses right across the province. It is also an environmentally-sound investment, because local food doesn’t travel as far to get to us, creating a smaller carbon footprint. And supporting our local farmers and ranchers means that farmland and greenspace is preserved for the future.

I look forward to seeing (and tasting) the innovative products that will be created at the Kamloops Food Hub and hearing how local producers and processors are building a stronger and more resilient local food system, for everyone to enjoy.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.