Increasing Local Food Inputs & Food Processing in Cowichan

(2019-2020)

This study contributes to the growing body of research to support the Cowichan food sector and assesses the opportunities for more local foods to be purchased by Cowichan food processors and institutional markets (in particular health centres, hospitals, and schools). The project objectives were to quantify the demand for local food inputs from food processors and the demand for local food products from institutional facilities. The results were used to assess governance and business development opportunities that could support shared equipment and infrastructure models. To achieve the objectives, research methods included conducting an online survey, one-on-one interviews with food processors and institutions and presenting preliminary findings to the Cowichan food sector as the 2020 Island Agriculture Show. Recommendations outline the market opportunities for increasing locally produced foods in local institutional facilities with a strong focus on building partnerships across all levels in the local food supply chain.

Upland worked alongside Farm Food Drink to produce this report for the Small Scale Food Processors Association (SSFPA) and Cowichan Green Communities.