Across Northwest BC, on the territories of many Indigenous Nations in this region.
Led by the Society for Making Agriculture Sustainable in the Hazeltons (MASH) and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, this initiative was designed to strengthen Northern B.C.’s food system and economy by improving the livestock processing ecosystem.
Serving Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, the Hazeltons, Terrace, and surrounding communities, key activities included participant interviews, partnerships, toolkit development, community input and feedback, and licensing efforts to foster resilient, locally-driven solutions for food security and economic growth. The project developed a comprehensive website www.meatUhere.ca as a toolkit for launching and growing meat ventures in Northern BC.
Meat U Here
MASH
Regional District of Bulkley Nechako
Story of Impact
The story below was shared by this initiative as their Most Significant Transformation Story, submitted as part of their final report. It reflects the perspectives and experiences of individuals involved in each initiative.
The most remarkable transformation in our project was the shift from a convoluted initiative to a streamlined and practical resource that truly benefits meat producers and communities in Northwest BC. This pivotal change redefined our approach to success, transitioning from an attempt to “build everything” to creating a user-friendly, sustainable tool that aligns with the community’s actual capacity. The transformation was inspired by insightful conversations and reflections in the latter half of 2025, particularly during the Harvest Summit in Prince George, where discussions with Mark and Darrell Roth from McBride and Amber Klassen from Fraser Lake provided invaluable perspectives.
During a project team meeting, it became clear that the complexity of the initiative was a barrier for both producers and the team. Recognizing the need for clarity and trust, we decided to change course and develop an online, dynamic resource. By November 2025, we had engaged a skilled website designer to bring our ideas to life, creating a platform that is easier to update and access.
This platform includes features such as date stamps for information verification and links to established platforms, avoiding duplication of existing tools. Amber’s suggestion led to the inclusion of a “community” filter, which enhances the focus on local assets. Additionally, we introduced a new offering: a free 30-minute consultation for entrepreneurs, bookable through the website.
This organizational pivot is already producing anticipated food-system outcomes. By consolidating education, training, regulatory guidance, and funding information into a single, region-specific directory and resource hub, the project aims to help new and expanding meat ventures reach the “start line” faster and with greater confidence. The toolkit provides an overview of the regional meat sector, profiles of local ventures, and the information needed to develop fundable business plans.
Furthermore, the project is hosting six community engagement events to promote networking and shared learning, with each event featuring a facility tour or a talk from a local entrepreneur. The relationships established during the Harvest Summit have been crucial for our project’s progress. For example, Mark and Darrell Roth from Uncle Mark’s On-Farm Harvest attended the MeatUHere soft-launch and later booked a consultation, where MASH identified financing pathways and next steps to bring a new product to market. Amber from Fraser Lake has been instrumental in organizing a MeatUHere event in her community.
The project initially responded to a crisis when the nearest abattoir ceased poultry processing, forcing a major producer from the Hazeltons to travel over three hours to Fraser Lake for Amber’s services. Unfortunately, an error in cold storage led to spoilage and revenue loss. In response, MASH explored establishing a mobile poultry slaughter and processing service. However, we soon realized that this initiative would strain our existing services. Consequently, we shifted our focus to exploring cold storage solutions from an educational perspective, with the potential for a larger project in 2027, once the Toolkit project has stabilized.
Through participation in this Ideas Lab, MASH’s role in the local meat supply chain has been redefined. Instead of directly operating meat-related services, our organization now prioritizes supporting others by sharing knowledge, strengthening networks, and reducing barriers to entry and expansion. This transformation enhances long-term organizational capacity, fostering a more resilient and connected local meat supply chain in Northwest BC.
In summary, the intertwined stories of transformation in this submission highlight both our project’s shift from complexity to practicality and the redefinition of MASH’s role in supporting local meat ventures. These pivotal changes are strengthening the local food system and ensuring sustainable growth for meat producers in the region.
Project Poster
All posters are downloadable in print format. Original posters were designed at 3ft by 4ft; as such, we advise you to print at a similar ratio to ensure text and images are as accessible as possible.
Voices to Ventures: Livestock Processing from the Ground Up: Aims to strengthen Northwest B.C.’s food system and economy by improving…
Interactive Map
Use the interactive map below to see who we funded across the north.
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