Traditional Territories of the Gidimt’en Clan and Wet’suwet’en Peoples (Smithers).
Led by School District 52 and School District 91, this initiative brought together diverse partners across the Northern B.C. food system to build relationships, ideate, and co-create new connections and distribution pathways for regionally produced, harvested and processed food products to connect to school district meal programs along Highway 16 from Prince George to Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii. The full-day gathering included panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, asset mapping and solutions-driven collaborations.
School District 91
School District 52
Farm to School BC
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 original intent of this funding was to host a casual, small gathering in Smithers, BC. As planning got underway, and goals of the event were shared, the need for a larger space became evident. Additionally, interest in the event grew from the Ministry of Agriculture through the FeedBC program. Two staff joined us early on for planning and supported putting together a request for enhanced supports to help make this event more fantastic.
This additional support brought increased, and active, involvement from Farm2School BC. It also added a market readiness training session for Highway 16 food producers, processors and harvesters.
Further, a procurement grant was announced through the Ministry of Education and Child Care. With the project already underway, this helped inform the grant application bringing additional funds, and the ability to work with a consultant to focus on truly understanding the resources, gaps and opportunities of Highway 16 and developing a food system that enhances local and regional food in the school food programs.
All these funds are showing the support and recognition of need for a Highway 16 food system that supports the school food programs. Food producers, processors and harvesters of Highway 16 are also appreciative of the opportunity to bring their product to the local community, having it benefit the youth, and provide nourishment.
“It is exciting to see the engagement in a Highway 16 food system transformation which will support schools directly, and possibly other public institutions through the various relationships formed. The possibility of being able to trade fish from Prince Rupert for beef from the Northern-Interior region sparks much excitement.”
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.
Connecting Food in the North Networking Event: In April 2026, a networking event is being planned that aims to bring together stakeholders in…
Interactive Map
Use the interactive map below to see who we funded across the north.
You can filter according to project type: Large-Scale, Ideas Lab, and Rapid Stimulus.
