Vancouver Island Heritage Foodservice Co-op

Member Profile

Vancouver Island Heritage Foodservice Co-op was launched at thefounding members meeting on February 17, 2008.

The co-op wasincorporated in November 2007 as a multi-stakeholder co-op. The purposeof the co-op is to mobilize partners to rebuild local food systems inthe Island Coastal region. 

The co-op’s business plan includesproviding distribution, warehousing, co-packing services aimed at the‘foodservice’ market channel:  institutions, restaurants, etc.  

Theco-op brings together non–profit organizations concerned with health,food security, community economic development and climate change withfarmers, alternative distributors, workers and co-packing kitchens inthe Island Coastal region. The co-op mobilized 35 members in its firstmonth of operation. 

Nanaimo Foodshare, as an incorporating member issponsoring a community based research project in partnership withpublicly funded food purchasers on the Island as well as developing aseasonal box program in the Nanaimo Region as a pilot project. NanaimoAssociation for Community Living, another founding member of the co-opis leading a workforce development strategy to introduce potentialworkers to farming, food processing and greenhouse work opportunities.

The co-op is open to membership from individuals and organizations thatwish to support farmers to be able to increase their production byoffering them premium prices and facilitating value-adding productdevelopment. The co-op will incorporate values of sustainableproduction, fairness for workers, stewardship of the land and ensuringwealth generated is maintained in the community.

Visit online: www.heritagefoodservice.coop

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