More B.C. ingredients are coming to the nearly five million meals served in hospitals and care facilities in Fraser Health, resulting in more local food for people and expanding an important market for B.C. farmers, ranchers and food processors.
“Hospitals and other government facilities offer B.C.’s farmers, ranchers and food processors a significant market with exciting growth potential,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture.
“I’m so pleased Fraser Health is working closely with the government’s Feed BC program to grow the amount of B.C. food served in its facilities. We are seeing an increase in the amount of local food served in B.C.’s hospitals and care facilities already, and we are just getting started.”
To help B.C. farmers and processors navigate the complex food supply system and sell their products to provincial government facilities, the ministry is providing much-needed information and guidance, including on-farm food-safety training, new technology and business advice. To date, over 200 B.C. food and agriculture businesses have participated in business-development related training offered through Feed BC, building their capacity and readiness to sell to public facilities.
“I am proud to recognize Fraser Health and other health authorities, including Interior Health, which has led the way in offering B.C.-grown produce and foods in its facilities,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “It’s a big shift, and it has adapted and developed excellent strategies to prioritize B.C. in food services.”
Fraser Health delivers a wide range of health-care services to more than 1.8 million people living in communities stretching from Burnaby to Hope and operates 12 acute care hospitals and a number of long-term care facilities.
While procuring B.C. foods is a priority for health authorities, protecting the health and safety of vulnerable patients is paramount. All food products, including B.C. produced and processed foods, must comply with the highest standards for food safety, nutrition, allergens and traceability.