Food Hub Study

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Thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2022 the District conducted a study to examine opportunities for a regional food processing facility in Central Saanich.

Central Saanich has a very active and diverse agriculture and food sector, and a food hub would appear to be a welcomed asset in the region. The results of this project provide stakeholders with a business case and information on the feasibility of such a facility.

What is a Food Hub?

  • “Food hubs” as they’re commonly referred to can take any number of forms, depending on the needs of the community; they foster growth and innovation in the processing sector through improved industry access to facilities, equipment, technology, technical services and business supports.
  • Food hubs are emerging across British Columbia to support farmers, producers, and processors to develop their businesses with support and access to shared facilities and equipment.
  • Food hubs can help get a new business off the ground and better enable existing businesses to thrive.

Thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2022 the District conducted a study to examine opportunities for a regional food processing facility in Central Saanich.

Central Saanich has a very active and diverse agriculture and food sector, and a food hub would appear to be a welcomed asset in the region. The results of this project provide stakeholders with a business case and information on the feasibility of such a facility.

What is a Food Hub?

  • “Food hubs” as they’re commonly referred to can take any number of forms, depending on the needs of the community; they foster growth and innovation in the processing sector through improved industry access to facilities, equipment, technology, technical services and business supports.
  • Food hubs are emerging across British Columbia to support farmers, producers, and processors to develop their businesses with support and access to shared facilities and equipment.
  • Food hubs can help get a new business off the ground and better enable existing businesses to thrive.

  • June 2023 Update

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    The District of Central Saanich is establishing a group of stakeholders to oversee the development of the Central Saanich Food Hub. The group will help find a suitable facility and/or operator for the Food Hub. We will soon be posting a call for applications to sit on the Central Saanich Food Hub Commission.

    To learn more about the ideal food hub facility/space we are looking for, please see this document.

    Interested in learning more? Please contact:
    Britt Burnham, Manager of Community Engagement with the District of Central Saanich Britt.burnham@csaanich.ca 250-544-4240, or
    Darren Stott, Consultant, Greenchain Consulting Darren@greenchainconsulting.ca 778-903-3663

  • Study published

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    The Food Hub Feasibility Study is now published (see Documents). The District thanks the Ministry of Agriculture, GreenChain consulting and the many stakeholders involved in the study.

    Next steps

    Council gave direction to refer the study to the Peninsula & Agricultural Commission for comment. Council also asked staff to continue to work on the project in 2023 to explore possible locations and models, which includes engaging other municipalities and taking a closer look at abattoirs.

  • Central Saanich invites submissions for Food Hub land or facility

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    The Central Saanich Food Hub (CSFH) is a regional collaborative project that focuses on expanding the local agri-food economy and strengthening the food system. The Hub will act as a catalyst to connect many players along the food and agriculture value chain. The CSFH is dedicated to growing the local agri-food economy by offering facilities, equipment, and services that are currently missing from the value chain, including food processing and product development support.

    Supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and a grant, the District, along with food hub experts and organizational collaborators, is acting as a facilitator of the process to establish a Food Hub in the District of Central Saanich. The District is now seeking a location and facility partner or partners to provide or develop the Central Saanich Food Hub facility.

    Through a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI), the District invites interested individuals, organizations or businesses to submit Expressions of Interest to provide a location and/or a facility for a Central Saanich Food Hub (CSFH), also referred to as the “Hub”, in the District of Central Saanich with a view to launching the Hub in 2024.

    View the RFEOI - Central Saanich Food Hub


  • Central Saanich food hub study launches

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    The project has launched! Greenchain Consulting has been hired to deliver the study and work is now underway with a target of completing the study before the fall. Greenchain has conducted more than 10 BC food hub feasibility studies, including a recent meat processing facility for south Vancouver Island.

    Overview of the study

    Phase 1: Project launch and market review. Gather relevant reports and information related to the project to better understand the needs of the region and its food producers and assess the current and potential market demand for a food hub. This will include stakeholder interviews, regional assessment and much more.

    Phase 2: User needs assessment and potential core user identification. In this phase we will broaden our outreach to further understand the needs of potential food hub users and begin to identify potential core users of the facility. The consultants will tour potential locations and begin to develop business model options including a governance and staffing plan.

    Phase 3: Identify location, landlord and food hub operator options. Using the above information, a list of building/location criteria will be developed and will inform creation of a list of suitable buildings/locations in Central Saanich.

    Phase 4: Food hub feasibility assessment and business model development. A business model will be presented to staff, stakeholders and Council.

Page last updated: 30 Jun 2023, 12:12 PM