Small Scale Abattoir in the Columbia Valley Makes a Big Impact

October 26, 2021

If you are a chef or restaurant owner in the Columbia Valley, your meat supply chain may have looked vastly different prior to 2017 than it does today. You most likely purchased beef, pork, and lamb from grocery chain suppliers or large-scale wholesalers, and finding locally-raised, grass-fed organic meat was nearly impossible. Now, those who value humane livestock handling and local, quality products are in luck.

Enter the Columbia Valley Abattoir, a small-scale slaughterhouse catering to many valley businesses, located in Invermere, BC. Run by long-time Invermere groceries merchant Grant Kelly of Grant`s Foods, the project was a vision of the Windermere District Farmers Institute and Livestock Association (WDFI). The WDFI, incorporated in 1914, represents the interest of the agricultural community from Canal Flats to Golden.

The licensed facility enables locally produced livestock to be legally inspected and butchered humanely. This directly addresses regional priorities such as food safety and security and agricultural values for land, both important considerations for the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).

“Being able to buy meat locally helps the whole economy,” says WDFI project coordinator Hedi Trescher. “People really embraced that part; selling directly cuts out the middleman, and both the producers and the consumers get the benefit of that. It has also really deepened the sense of community.”

Fresh choices help businesses connect and thrive

Local chefs connect with ranchers, who bring their livestock to Kelly and his team for slaughter, cut, and packaging. This local supply chain process allows meat to be easily transported and stocked by chefs and has changed the way many local restaurants and hotels do business in the area. With patrons ranging from a small highway-side mom-and-pop food truck to the Fairmont Hotel — and many pizza parlors and bustling cafes in between — fresh local meat is available throughout the region, enhancing palettes and bringing big flavour.

To get the WDFI project off the ground, Trescher first helped put together a solid action plan, including reviewing zoning and feasibility. In 2016, after years of efforts securing approvals and reconfirming funding, including a $25,000 grant from ETSI-BC, project construction — emphasizing the use of local trades — began.

“Our main challenge was zoning, followed by funding,” says Trescher. “While private donations and the WDFI paid for the majority of the project, additional funds from contributors (like ETSI-BC) also helped get the abattoir built. Then it was just a matter of finding an operator, which is where Grant came in. Fast forward to today and the positive effect that this business has had on other businesses in the community is wonderful.”

The facility`s need for contract and part-time workers has created substantial opportunities in the area: Kelly estimates he`s paid out over $100,000 in labour over the past four years. Business has been booming according to Kelly, who says they’ve steadily grown since starting operation, doubling their sales in 2020. But expanding the job market isn’t the only way that the Columbia Valley Abattoir has contributed economically; its emphasis on developing strategic partnerships and its effect on certain sectors has been especially palpable.

Farm-to-table outlook strengthens local food security and economy

Hospitality and tourism, both important industries in the region, have long been leaning towards fresh, local, hormone-free products; however, sourcing in the region was difficult and costly prior to the abattoir`s construction. Stricter meat processing regulations were enforced beginning in 2004, changing the landscape of historical livestock processing in the valley. With the closest licensed facility almost 150 kms away, stress and costs were high for farmers and ranchers forced to travel long distances. During nearly 15 years without a local abattoir, many small producers went out of business, and the availability of local meat dwindled for regional restaurant owners.

While the project faced some challenges at first, including community members expressing concern about traffic, noise, and smell, WDFI soon demonstrated that the 1,696 square foot facility would not come with any of the downfalls often associated with larger-scale operations. It`s been successfully operating quietly and efficiently since 2017, and been a boon for the communities it serves.

In addition to the economic benefits of the project, locally producing meat cuts down on excessive transport costs and therefore reduces the meat industry`s carbon footprint. Those involved hope that the revitalization of this part of the local agricultural sector will also correlate to increased pride and educational and career opportunities for young people in the region.

Chefs and restaurant patrons certainly appreciate the Columbia Valley Abattoir, as its existence has not only enhanced the local economy, but also made local food much more accessible (and delicious) for everyone.

More News & Stories

Data Diggers – a Community of Practice

March 21, 2024 – We invite you to join the Data Diggers Community of Practice! This is a group of practitioners who dig data, dig digging into data, and want to dig themselves out of data into knowledge and insights.

Thompson-Okanagan Team Takes to the World Stage to Address Workforce Shortages

The Thompson-Okanagan region is a well-known Canadian tourist destination, it is not immune to the shortage of skilled workers experienced in many Canadian communities. International recruitment is considered a key tool for addressing worker shortages in the area. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), three major economic development organizations collaborated to market the region at the world’s largest emigration event in Houten, Netherlands in 2023. The initiative has led to an ongoing strategy to attract new talent and help the region grow and thrive.

North Shore Business Improvement Association Validates Return on Investment

Kamloops’ North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA) has grown significantly since its inception, but after almost three decades, it was time to validate its strategic direction and value proposition to members and stakeholders. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the NSBIA conducted a Membership Engagement and Return on Investment Project in 2022 which confirmed its good work and where the organization goes next.

Celebrating a Successful Research Funding Partnership

It’s been three years since the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) and Mitacs launched their research funding partnership serving the Southern Interior of BC, and they are excited to share some key outcomes and reflect on future opportunities.

Revitalizing Downtown Hope – Planning for a Resilient Future

Visitors to Hope are discovering that the community is much more than a convenient gas and pit stop off the highway when travelling to and from the Lower Mainland. As a new downtown revitalization strategy rolls out, a more vibrant and engaging downtown area is emerging, drawing both residents and tourist traffic into the area, and creating new economic opportunities. The project was supported with funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).

Boston Bar & North Bend Make Plans to Revitalize Economy

The pioneering spirit associated with the early history of Boston Bar and North Bend is evident again. The area was once one of the richest gold mining areas in Canada, later supported by forestry. But after a major mill closed in the 1980s, many people moved away and the economy began to decline. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the community conducted an analysis of its needs, strengths, and opportunities, renewing the promise of a strong and sustainable future.

Fostering Entrepreneurship at Post-Secondary Institutions in 2024

January 24, 2024 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) has supported the 6 public post-secondary institutions (PSIs) in the Southern Interior of BC since 2008 with funding of over $7.3 million.

ETSI-BC Spring 2024 Funding Intake Opens March 11

January 17, 2024 – ETSI-BC is pleased to announce Spring Funding Intake is open March 11 – April 12, 2024.

Marketing Campaign Creates a Mountain of Opportunities for Sun Peaks

The momentum continues as Sun Peaks Resort rolls out a marketing and awareness campaign to create a more resilient and sustainable economy in the post-pandemic era. Supported by the Economic Trust of Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the project is attracting more diverse customers with new options for meeting and event space at the world-class Sun Peaks Centre.

Columbia Valley’s Special Events Strategy Builds a Year-Round Destination

Special events have been part of the tourism offering in the Columbia Valley, and they provide significant economic benefits to the region’s economy. During COVID-19, however, several signature events were shut down. Costs were increasing, travel was declining and the area was facing competition from events from other communities. With the support of ETSI-BC, the communities of the Columbia Valley came together to develop an events development strategy that has put the region on course to become a primary event destination.