Study to explore new opportunities for food processing in the Fraser Valley 

Is Chilliwack the right place for a new kind of food processing centre? That’s the question at the heart of a feasibility study that has been funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WED) and three community partner groups.  

The study will determine if Chilliwack is the right location for a business incubation and research facility that would serve the entire Upper Fraser Valley. It will explore whether or not the community can sustain a food processing centre, which would enable new food processing businesses to get started and assist existing businesses to improve and expand their operations.  

A centre of this type could provide training for people seeking employment in the food processing industry and encourage existing agri-business owners to explore new opportunities for value-added products using locally grown products.  

Funding for the study will include $35,000 from WED, and $5,000 each from Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO), the Chilliwack Agricultural Commission (CAC), and the University College of the Fraser Valley (UCFV). The project will be administered by Community Futures Development Corporation South Fraser.  

The feasibility study, which will be completed by the end of March, will take into account the nature of the community as well as identify potential users and their needs. It will explore regulatory requirements, handling, packaging, and exporting of value-added food projects. It will also explore the potential mix of users, local knowledge and expertise, stakeholder networks, equipment needs, and training requirements.  

 “UCFV is very pleased to be involved in research that will help to determine if this idea has the potential to become a major new economic driver for our region,” says UCFV President Skip Bassford. “The study itself demonstrates a powerful approach to economic development, which taps the expertise of several partners. UCFV will enlist its ability to assist with this type of very practical and immediate research that could create new opportunities for business development, generate new jobs, and help enormously to build a better future for our region. UCFV is eager to play our role in this important study and is prepared to follow up with more research and training.” 

Results of the study will provide the information needed to decide if the Centre would have a solid market base, sound financing, and strong community support. If the study determines that all the conditions are right, the community partners will begin the work of finding private sector partners and other potential partners and champions. The establishment of this type of “business cluster” or “incubation centre” is becoming recognized as one of the most effective ways to assist small- and medium-size enterprises to expand their businesses and to develop local and regional economies.  

The proposal, which attracted the WED funding, pointed out that agriculture continues to be a major economic force in the Upper Fraser Valley, accounting for about 65% of the Chilliwack land base and 29% of the economy in that community alone. It noted as well that expansion of the agriculture industry and the development of value-added agriculture programs has been a key component in the economic development strategy for the Chilliwack Agricultural Commission and CEPCO.  

“CEPCO and the CAC are anxious to see the results of this study. We are pleased that UCFV, SFCF, and WED recognize the significant potential that exists for value-added agriculture in the community,” said Trevin Rogers, Chair of CEPCO. 

Walter Dyck, Chair of the CAC, commented, “This study will help us further expand the efforts that both the CAC and CEPCO have been pursuing to expand Chilliwack’s number-one industry – agriculture. Over the past two and one-half years, we have actively been pursuing new food processing industries to establish in the community. If the study determines that the project will proceed it will provide us with a new powerful tool to complement all of our efforts.”

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