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Okanagan producers to benefit from new food hub in Salmon Arm

Food and beverage producers in the Okanagan will have more opportunities to grow their businesses with the development of a new food hub in Salmon Arm.

Food hubs bring jobs, skills training, community-building and business opportunities to the regions in which they operate.

“The province’s processing sector is seeing success all over B.C., and we are supporting farmers and food and beverage producers who want to take their products to the next level,” said Lana Popham, minister of agriculture.

“A new food hub will offer entrepreneurs in the Okanagan a place where they can create and package new products, receive business support and engage in training opportunities to help develop new innovative products that will strengthen food security, create good jobs and help the local economy thrive.”

The B.C. government is partnering with the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society and providing $500,000 to develop the new food hub in Salmon Arm to help businesses access shared food and beverage processing space and equipment in order to increase their sales.

“The Food Hub will provide a shared processing space and create a venue for knowledge sharing designed to support the growth of local businesses. The funding announcement from B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture enables our community to move forward with this important project, which will strengthen our economy,” said Chad Shipmaker, board member for the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society.

The hub is scheduled to open next year. The society has received strong interest from potential clients who make products from local fruit, vegetable and livestock/poultry farms as well as support from area businesses and social organizations.

The new hub will be the fifth in B.C. and the first in the Okanagan, joining three hubs operating in Vancouver, Surrey and Port Alberni, and a fourth opening soon in Quesnel.