A group of people committed to the idea of healthy, local, fresh food - also known as the Squamish CAN food group - are exploring the possibility of building a community farm in downtown Squamish to create a local food system.
The idea, which has been in the works for several months, stemmed from an urban agricultural project in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and plans are coming together to make the proposed community farm a reality.
"The idea has evolved from the idea of having a food hub in Squamish - kind of a full service food stock," said CAN Farm co-ordinator Katie Pease.
"We're modeling this farm after Sole Food Farm in Vancouver, an enterprise which will address social needs, food security, healthy communities, environmental concerns and the celebration of food."
Sole Food Farm transformed a half-acre parking lot into a beautiful and productive farm, whereas Squamish CAN is hoping to turn the empty lot on the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Main Street into its own progressive model of what is possible with urban agriculture.
"It's a model of economic, social and environmental return on investment," said Squamish CAN co-ordinator Ana Santos.
"The farm could become a highlight of downtown Squamish, bringing excitement and enthusiasm at a time when it is essential that communities not only understand the massive challenges facing our current global industrial model of agriculture, but also solutions that are within their reach - providing food security, health and prosperity to individuals, the community and the environment."
The project will run as a social enterprise - a business run by a non-profit group - and would provide both social and economic benefits.
"In this case the social return has a lot to do with employment. We're working in collaboration with Helping Hands to employ some of their clientele," she said, adding that the farm would provide skills training and fair wages to employees.
The plan is for the enterprise to employ four people, two of whom would have barriers to employment, per year.
Pease said another social component of the farm is returning a lot of the produce to the social service sector.
"What we're really trying to do is get food to those who can't really afford to eat good food and we're hoping to get a lot of food out to people through the food distribution program," she said.
That doesn't rule out providing local produce both to local restaurants or selling at the Farmers' Market, she said.
Pease pointed out that turning a vacant lot into a hive of activity will also help one of Squamish's key goals - the revitalization of downtown.
CAN Farm's development is moving along at a rapid pace and Pease is hopeful that the organization could start growing in early July.
To date Squamish CAN has secured the land, created a business plan, designed the layout of the site, attended a workshop for enterprising non-profits, created budgets for start-up and operating costs, developed planting plans, anticipated revenue and been awarded $20,000 through various donors toward the start of the project.
The landowner, who did not want to be named, was so supportive of the idea that she granted Squamish CAN access to the land under a three-year lease agreement and pledged $5,000 toward start-up costs.
Pease is also planning to approach local restaurants as perspective customers and Howe Sound Brew Pub and Restaurant had already expressed interest in the idea.
CAN Farm is also contingent on receiving a temporary use permit from the District of Squamish. Pease plans to present the CAN Farm initiative and the Squamish CAN food charter to council on Tuesday (June 7).
Although a lot of time and effort has gone into the project already, CAN Farm is still in the planning stages and organizers hope to incorporate community input and participation.
Pease will have a CAN Farm booth set up for the Farmers' Market this Saturday (June 4) and Squamish CAN will host a meeting on Monday (June 6) at Brennan Park to learn more about the initiative, ask questions, offer comments or contribute in any way.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. but keeping the Canucks' schedule in mind, the CAN Farm topic will be delayed until 8 p.m.
