Bella Coola Foodshed Alliance

The Bella Coola Foodshed Alliance is a registered non-profit society which aims to support a sustainable local food system and increase food security for the people living in the Bella Coola Valley. By enhancing local production and consumption of nutritious foods right from the source, food sustainability can flourish.

Community members support food security in the Bella Coola Valley by supporting local farms and food harvesters. Local eating has many advantages, such as: building vibrant communities by connecting people with the farmers and food producers/harvesters who bring them healthy, local goods; building a local economy by supporting jobs in the valley; reducing climate impacts by reducing how much food is imported to the valley; creating less food (and packaging) waste; and best of all, enjoying local produce that is full of flavour and bursting with freshness and nutrients.

The Bella Coola Foodshed Alliance promotes their mission by various means. Members support and participate in community events, provide educational material at farmers markets, engage with local schools, and fundraise for outreach campaigns and local farmer support.

In addition, the Bella Coola Foodshed Alliance supports a part-time Food Security Coordinator. The Food Security Coordinator implements gleaning programs for fruit tree harvesting, film nights, annual soup cook-offs, seasonal Night Markets, and capacity building workshops.

“The mission of the Bella Coola Foodshed Alliance is to facilitate the development of a sustainable local food system by building community capacity, in order to achieve community socioeconomic wellness.”