Wesco Food Society
Port Alberni, Vancouver Island/Coast
Wesco Food Society
Port Alberni, Vancouver Island/Coast
WESCO FOODS is a HACCP-certified food production, manufacturing & distribution servicing team in the Alberni Valley. WHAT WE DO We offer regional food accessibility & development services to local & remote communities. We are a supportive team that enhances the production of our regional agricultural system & locally-made food production in the Alberni Valley & beyond. We essentially promote produced foods that are made/grown naturally or organically in BC. We established a localized food system that gives local food producers opportunities to generate accessible growth in our region; Giving them ways to develop their food brand & product(s) development. In addition, we have created a zero-food waste policy system that allows us to preserve locally grown perishable food into long-lasting valued items to feed people of our communities. We provide food services and a distribution framework for Vancouver Island, and BC [farmers & food producers] by giving access to food to remote communities within our reach. Additionally, Wesco Foods provides unique food accessibility services to delicious and nutritious foods.
Nominations
Read below to find out why they deserve your vote in each category.
Business Impact Award
Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?
With a passion in agriculture, sustainable living and food culture, I set my journey as a business entrepreneur to Vancouver Island where I discovered a potential for local food development that has been long forgotten. I studied the paradox of food importation and exportation throughout my media studies at college and during my professional career in the food service industry. The conclusion of my studies, career path, passion and values have led me to open a localized grocery store and e-commerce business to serve our local food development system by assisting our regions growth in local agriculture and aquaculture production. I personally am thankful of the support from our community. I feel our positive minded business is very welcomed within the ancestral territories of the Tseshaht and Hupacasath first nations.
Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.
Our food system model is different and more beneficial from what you will see in the conventional food chain systems. We aim to support local Agri-Food producers by offering food accessibility & development services that support local communities toward food sustainability. We work to prevent the loss of our local food by providing growth & food safety for food producers and farmers in our regional district. Our vision is to create a fully operational localized food system that serves our regional communities. We currently support a year-round, healthy, nutritious & sustainable food system in our region, and we are on the road to achieving our goals.
Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?
We have created a lot of beneficial changes in food security, accessibility and development in our Valley. We are still young but are supporting so many people and businesses so far and look forward to the future support we can offer.
Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.
Wesco Food Society is a community development corporation (CDC) that provides programs, offers services and engages in other activities that promote and support our remote community's accessibility and development of regionally produced foods. We are active in developing our region’s Food Security; Engagement in Healthy Local and Sustainable Food Production; Local Food Preservation & Development Opportunities; Agri-Food Accessibility & Distribution; Organic Growth; Soil Regeneration, Permaculture & Climate Change Adaptation. Our mission is for remote communities on Vancouver Island to sustainably nourish themselves equally by providing accessibility to regionally produced foods & local food production development opportunities in an equal environment. We are very proactive in the support we give! We wanted to create a supportive local food network by supporting our fellow members, staff and volunteers who shop with us and participate in our programs!