The 11 public post-secondary institutions to recently partner with Feed BC include:

• Capilano University
• Coast Mountain College
• College of New Caledonia
• Douglas College
• Langara College
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
• Okanagan College
• Royal Roads University
• University of Victoria
• Vancouver Island University

Public post-secondary institutions partnering with Feed BC are taking action to promote and increase B.C. food on campus and beyond, while supporting local jobs, businesses, communities and a sustainable food system. These are some of their stories:

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is enhancing the culinary experience for students, staff and visitors by partnering with food service provider Compass-Chartwells to bring fresh, seasonal produce grown by students to KPU menus. Students work on the KPU farm at the Garden City Lands in Richmond as part of earning their degree in sustainable agriculture. Through planning, planting, maintenance and harvesting, students are involved in every step of bringing the produce from farm to table.  

“It is critically important that public post-secondary institutions contribute to the vitality and health of B.C.’s local food system by purchasing from and featuring B.C. producers,” said Andy Smith, farm manager, KPU. “Students in the sustainable agriculture program are the future farmers of B.C. and are learning how valuable local products are in connecting with and serving communities, businesses and creating a sustainable food system.”

University of Northern British Columbia

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is supporting B.C. agriculture and food businesses located in and around the Prince George campus, community and region. Since September 2020, UNBC has increased their B.C. food purchases from approximately 20% to 40%, surpassing Feed BC’s minimum target of 30% of food expenditures being B.C. food. UNBC works with Centennial Foodservice to source B.C.-raised meat and uses local fresh produce from Gateway Farms to serve on campus.  

“We’re incredibly proud of our success so far – doubling UNBC’s B.C. food purchases in less than two years – and Feed BC has been a key partner,” said Lisa Haslett, director of business services, UNBC. “Our campus community is clear that local food is very important, and Feed BC has provided invaluable tools and supports along the way.”

Okanagan College

Okanagan College (OKAN) is bringing passion and enthusiasm for local food to education, procurement decisions and partnerships, and are passing it on to the community at large. The OKAN culinary and pastry arts program in Kelowna focuses on a farm-to-table approach with a growing inventory that sources local produce, meat and dairy from suppliers, such as Colonial Farms, which supplies chicken and turkey. OKAN students in the culinary program, working at the institutions’ Infusions Restaurant, use local seafood and fish from Bishops Seafood in Kelowna to create dishes served to students, the local community and visitors.  

“Feed BC is a long-awaited initiative that reconnects local producers with chefs, culinary instructors and entrepreneurs in the food industry,” said chef Reinhard Foerderer, culinary arts instructor and chair, culinary and pastry arts, OKAN. “Being able to showcase our fantastic products to our students, guests and visitors is very satisfying and highlights the rich bounty and great quality of our B.C.-produced items. Working together with local farmers, poultry producers and fishers helps us greatly to better identify with the product we are producing and serving it with confidence.”

Camosun College

Camosun College is committed to the local food supply network and advancing Feed BC by supporting local farmers and educating students about the benefits of using local food and strengthening local economies and resilient communities. With two campuses in Greater Victoria, Camosun College is one of the largest colleges in the province and is an advocate for using locally sourced food. The college supports local farms and businesses by directly sourcing products for the culinary arts program, such as Better Seafood in Victoria, and meat from Gunter Bros. in Courtenay, which are served at the student-run cafeteria in the Helmut Huber cook training centre and the ClassRoom Restaurant, both located on the Interurban Campus. The college’s food service contractor, Aramark, is also committed to increasing local purchasing for all its outlets at both campuses.

“Our goal at Camosun is to provide affordable, nutritious and sustainable food options,” said Geoff Wilmshurst, vice-president of partnerships, Camosun College. “The collaboration, partnerships and expert advice available through Feed BC has made it even easier for the college to offer students, employees and campus visitors more locally sourced and sustainable food that also supports community producers and fosters resilient communities.”