Since 2009, BCMeats (formerly the BC Association of Abattoirs), has supported the province’s meat industry through education, advocacy to government, and by encouraging partnerships among members of the meat value chain. The recent pandemic highlighted the weakness of food supply chains resulting in greater concern for food security and increased demand for local food.

To address this important issue, BCMeats initiated a pilot project to expand and grow the meat cluster in the North Okanagan. Increasing meat production and processing is key to increasing food security and the viability of farm businesses,” says Nova Woodbury, Executive Director of BCMeats and lead consultant on the project.

“When we started this initiative, there was no single source of information on where local meat is processed and sold,” adds Woodbury.  “The development of a meat production and processing cluster will showcase the players in BC’s meat industry and encourage collaboration within the sector.  Our businesses will be better equipped to address common challenges, share efficiencies and costs related to marketing and promotion, and identify best practices, making them more resilient and profitable. Many other agriculture-related businesses will also benefit from the expanded cluster including feed and equipment suppliers, and restaurants that promote BC meats”, Woodbury adds.

The project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) through its Innovating & Advancing Key Sectors funding stream. “Support for agriculture, especially in rural, remote and small-scale farming operations is essential for businesses to adapt to our changing climate and global economy,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “Expanding the meat cluster will lead to economic benefits for the region and its residents.”

Outreach To Producers, Processors and Retailers

The project involved extensive outreach to industry members in the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) and included a few processors and retailers just outside the RDNO that process or sell meat from the region.

Through this timely project, meaningful connections were made with nine abattoirs, 28 meat retailers and butcher shops, and 260 producers who finish animals for meat. First, the project gauged interest in participating in the project. Participants were offered a listing on BC Meats’ website and additional profile through its BCMeats for BCFamilies Facebook page. They were also invited to be listed on the BCMeats’ interactive map which provides links to participants’ own websites and on-line stores. 

All of the abattoirs were interested in participating in the project. Most of the retailers were interested as well. So far, eight retailers have agreed to be listed on BCMeats’ website. Just 20 producers were interested in growing their meat sales. Some of the businesses that wanted to grow felt they were not yet ready to grow due to a lack of land, infrastructure, and/or labour needed to expand their capacity.

“Whether the businesses participated in the project or not, the outreach process has broadened awareness of information and resources about which most producers and processors are unaware,” Woodbury says.  “All the businesses that wanted to expand have already benefitted from the information shared around funding resources, regional and provincial meetings, animal welfare and other topics.”

Outreach Expands

“Awareness of BCMeats as a valuable resource for the province’s meat industry has increased significantly,” says Woodbury.  “Our intent is to apply the pilot concept to all Regional Districts in BC’s Southern Interior.

“Continuing to promote the meat cluster as a viable sector will strengthen the meat value chain, eventually creating more jobs and other economic benefits to communities.  The focus now is to identify the type of campaigns and funding needed to speed development of this important industry cluster, and enable producers and processors throughout the province to thrive.”