Salt Spring Island Farm Produce Centre Centre Salt Spring Island Farm Produce Prepared for the Salt Spring Island Agricultural Alliance by Patricia Reichert
The Context & the Plan The Context & the Plan � The centre is an essential service in the development of the SSI agricultural economy and SSI food security � The aim is to develop a multi- purpose hub for storage, processing and distribution of Salt Spring farm produce
Community Priorities Community Priorities � The SSI Local Produce Study identified infrastructure needs and the need for more local food production (2005) � The SSI Food Security Plan supports increased local food production (2006) � The SSI Area Farm recommends development of infrastructure that supports agriculture expansion, including storage and processing (2008)
Community Priorities cont’d Community Priorities cont’d � The SSI Livestock Study (2009) and SSI Produce Study (2010) affirmed agricultural infrastructure needs � The SSI Climate Action Plan identifies need to increase local food consumption in order to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions (2011)
Community Priorities cont’d Community Priorities cont’d � Gaps assessment survey of farmers, 5 0 % 4 5 % chefs, food processors 4 0 % (2011) 3 5 % 3 0 % � Growing Up 2 5 % Organic/Salt Spring 2 0 % Farm Food Link 1 5 % provides 3 years of 1 0 % 5 % experience with 0 % commercial distribution A p p le S t o r a g e F r e e z e r C o m m . D r y in g & the need for a ju ic in g K it c h e n e q u ip handling and storage facility
Unique Opportunity Unique Opportunity � From Beddis Developments Ltd. – Transfer of .6 hectares of land on Beddis Rd to the community to build a community produce centre – Assistance with site preparation – Donation of 1000 square feet of building – $40,000 cash toward development costs � Total estimated value $380,000
The Proposed Site The Proposed Site
Proposed New Zoning: In1(b) Proposed New Zoning: In1(b) � Processing farm � Indoor & outdoor products retail sales and wholesales of farm � Preparation, products & products packaging and in a farm operation storing of farm products � Agriculture, farm buildings & � Composting facility structures � Agriculture and food � One dwelling research & accessory to education industrial use
The Aims The Aims � To support the agricultural economy on Salt Spring � To support increased food production with practical services � To provide a focus for local farm food & increase access to local food
Intentions Intentions � To serve Salt Spring Island farmers & the community � To support and not act in competition with existing SSI farm enterprises � To demonstrate new & innovative approaches � To link into the regional food system � To operate on a break-even basis
Intentions, cont’d Intentions, cont’d � To integrate the facility into the physical environment, using sustainable design � To support the community’s Climate Action Strategic goals
Summary of the Project Summary of the Project � Based on identified needs: farmers, buyers, community at large � Market mix that is unique & prioritised � Hub of services that doesn’t duplicate any other business on SSI � Developed from agricultural perspective � Farmers can pick services from the mix
Proposed Functions Proposed Functions � Temperature-controlled storage for farm produce � Washing, sorting and packing for commercial distribution � Value-added processing and products � Other farm support services
CORE SERVICES SECONDARY TERTIARY SERVICES SERVICES Temperature- Sorting, handling and Small farm § § § controlled storage prepping for commercial equipment rental bank distribution (e.g. bean sheller, Salad & braising Ordering and Office space for an § § § green processing & delivery for commercial agricultural business packing buyers Commercial Small scale food Educational § § § processing and packing processing and co- workshops, mentoring (value-added and branding (e.g. farm tax consulting) preserving) Joint ventures, e.g. Marketing support. § § incubator services E.g. winter retail market Greenhouse, uses Clearinghouse for § § energy from the agricultural information refrigeration CSA coordination & • distribution station
Partnership Opportunities Partnership Opportunities � Storage & distribution contracts, handling volume � Co-branding � Greenhouse � Farmer-grocery store contracts & delivery � Joint ventures with community agencies
Partners Partners � Farmers & � Commercial farm groups food buyers � Chefs � Public institutions � Small scale food � Community processors organisations
Government Regulations Government Regulations � Islands Trust zoning � BC Public Health Act � CFIA � Natural Products Marketing Act
Triple Bottom Line Triple Bottom Line � Social Enterprise/Enterprising Non- Profit: marries the goals & the finances � Cost recovery that ensures financial viability � Supports & enhances role of small scale agriculture in community food security � Sustainability profile
Values & Risks Values & Risks � Unique set of � More primary services production needed � Supports � It will take time to agricultural develop expansion & processing & sustainability partnerships � Local food security � Lower cost of non- local food affects food choices
NEED VALUE RISKS Temperature –controlled Core service. Revenue margin will be low in order to storage High identified need by farmers. support farm prices. No other central facility Protects and ensures quality and supply through four seasons Volume will be low to start. Minimal quality on-farm Essential for building local food system storage Saves farmers from having to make capital investment on a farm-by-farm basis. Could make good use of the existing building on the site Commercially licensed Core service Must develop grocer commitment salad & braising washing, Capitalises on Salt Spring’s ability to grow top quality greens for Need a couple of large scale farmers cooling & packaging replacement of imported greens used in restaurants and sold in to get on board. grocery stores. Need consistent quality Elevates food safe handling to industry standard. The Produce Centre can broker the Adds significantly to local food security contracts between the farmers and the High profile local food branding opportunity. grocers. Pricing provides room for moderate margin. Commercial processing & Core service (Links with the greens processing) Requires increased volume of packaging Adding value by simple, low impact freezing of fruits & vegetables produce production. for sale to grocers & restaurants Must develop relationships with small Expansion opportunity to include product development using local scale food processors & chefs. ingredients. Developing relationships with small scale food Will require fundraising for capital processors. May be able to test market with interim use of the investment new on-farm facility Adds significantly to local food security High profile local food branding opportunity Pricing provides room for moderate margin
NEED VALUE RISKS Distribution and Secondary service More primary production is needed. delivery Ensures supply for processing Off-island food price competition Supports production increases to commercial levels Low margin , to support farm Essential component of local food system prices. Secondary service It will take time to develop this Commercial Ties local ingredients to processed foods service in step with increased processing & co- Joint-venture opportunities primary production. branding Essential component of local food system. Ensures food safety of processed products. It will take time to develop the Provides a facility for incubation of new products and partnerships with business & new food processors entering the local food system. community organizations. Provides a facility for partnering with community Will require specific management organizations such as Community Services. of operating costs. Strong, diverse revenue stream. Greenhouse Secondary service Site placement is critical--in relation to Opportunity for co-venture with farmer(s) main building (efficient access to the The greenhouse will use the heat from the refrigeration heat source) and light. compressors, demonstrating responsible energy reuse and low-cost efficiency. The greenhouse could produce in the months that farmers cannot afford to operate their greenhouses, thus supplying off-season produce (e.g. greens). Moderate revenue margin Tertiary Services Provides a hub of agricultural support services for farmers None Draws farmers and potentially food buyers to the centre Adds revenue without significantly adding to operational costs
Managing the Risks Managing the Risks Covering the cost of services without adversely affecting the price of local produce for either farmers or buyers � Local food is a specialty item in a market place dominated by industrially-produced and imported food, available 52 weeks of the year
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