B.C. government plans regional food-processing hub with funding feasibility study

Victoria, B.C. — Farmers and food producers in the region received a boost with the BC Ministry of Agriculture’s announcement that it will provide $50,000 to fund a feasibility study for a food-processing hub in the region.

The feasibility study will assess the viability of the Food Security Distribution Centre as a regional food hub. This food hub will ultimately connect local food producers and processors with specialized equipment, expertise, and space to grow their businesses while providing greater food sustainability for the region. The Mustard Seed purchased the current centre, a 22,000sq/ft warehouse space in Esquimalt in June of this year through funding from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Vancity and the Victoria Foundation.

The Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable (CRFAIR), in partnership with The Mustard Seed and the Victoria Foundation, were the lead proponent for the $50,000 funding, with the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) engaging their members and other stakeholders in the region to add support to the successful applicant.

“A food hub will provide an ideal venue for local agricultural businesses to expand their operations. It’s great news for the agriculture sector within our economy,” said SIPP Interim CEO Bruce Williams. “This value-added processing will lead to added revenue for the sector, more jobs, plus increased capacity for our farmers and food producers.”