After a busy summer of local food-related events and programs, Revelstoke Local Food Initiative (LFI) plans to strategize and develop its activity in upcoming weeks to envision a vibrant, resilient local food system.
New strategic plan and insights from summer 2024
Following the successful onboarding of new employees over the summer and a recent change in the board, the organization is drafting a new strategic plan with the intention “to do more, and better,” executive director of the Revelstoke LFI Amanda Cockburn said.
Former vice president Kari Martin took on the role of president, succeeding Alex Sosnkowski.
With approximately 200 members, the non-profit is dedicated to enhancing education, advocacy and fostering connections between residents and their food. Summer events and programs gained popularity, but Cockburn highlighted the importance of addressing the decline in food skills and knowledge literacy. Micro Growers and Little Sprouts programs are examples of how the organization works to reach a young audience.
“When you think our downtown community garden’s vegetables are planted by pre-school kids, it is pretty cool,” she said. “But there is definitely room to hit more grades. We noticed a big gap in Grades Nine to 12. Many kids have lost touch with gardening.”
After establishing a seeds library at the Okanagan Library, LFI is creating an online educational library and exploring the prospect of providing locals with access to a public honey extractor in 2025. While winter markets have returned, Cockburn hopes the next summer market booth will allow better engagement with the community and tourists.
Improving what exists, strengthening local and regional connections and exploring new projects with the support of municipal leaders and the Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke tends to be the direction of the new LFI strategy.
A look at Revelstoke commercial composting program
The commercial composting program is one project LFI has been working closely with the Columbia Shuswap Regional District on.
While a composting facility has been in place at the Revelstoke’s landfill for two years, a new fee structure for commercial waste hauling was implemented in May of this year, requiring businesses to pay $270 per tonne for mixed loads.
“LFI has been urged to provide more info, so the rules don’t come into effect in a harsh way,” Cockburn explained. “In winter, we are going to focus on multi-residential businesses. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has initiated a conversation, giving some hope to extend the program.”
For any questions regarding composting in Revelstoke, residents and businesses can contact Isaac Burkam at [email protected].
When asked if Revelstoke residents can expect a residential compost collection in the near future, Amanda ventured a potentiality in 2026.
Alongside composting, LFI will look at developing the idea of greenhouses for community gardens, creating year-round workshops for various levels, implementing ways to honour Indigenous food and pushing knowledge-sharing mentorships.
Residents can learn more about LFI updates on their IG account and on LFI’s website.
What did you think of this story?
Your feedback after we publish a story helps ensure we're always improving our reporting to better serve you
