What the BC Food Hub Network will offer
Last updated on January 18, 2024The BC Food Hub Network will bring together services and technology that improve support to the agriculture, seafood, and food and beverage processing industry and advance innovation in the province’s processing sector. Specifically, the Network will provide the following:
Infrastructure and equipment
- Shared, commercial production and kitchen spaces
- Regionally-tailored processing and packaging equipment
- Storage and distribution facilities
- Shared office space
Mentorship and training support
- Access to business mentors and industry experts
- Product development support
- Business-to-business networking and collaboration
Product development and testing services
- Market intelligence and market access support
- Product development support
- R&D and analytical testing
- Collaborative opportunities with academic institutions, industry associations and public and private companies
Networking and information sharing
- Mechanisms to support the operation and booking of facilities and equipment
- Support for information sharing and knowledge transfer between food hub sites
Industry survey
In 2018, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries commissioned a provincewide survey to inform the development of the BC Food Hub Network. The survey collected information on food and beverage processing resource usage and the need of facilities, equipment, research and development, commercialization, and government support. A total of 205 responses were received from B.C. food and beverage processors as well as those interested in entering the industry.