Salmon Arm is getting a food hub

The B.C. government says 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.

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

The society said the hub will open next year, and it has received strong interest from potential clients who make products from local fruit, vegetable and livestock/poultry farms.

“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.”