It's never been easier for local food and beverage businesses to connect, with the Nakusp & Area Development Board (NADB) launching a revamped Arrow Lakes food guide earlier this April.
The Grow Arrow Lakes guide and online directory accessibly share profiles and a map of local producers, featuring nearly 20 farms, wineries, roasteries, cideries, markets and grocers based in the Nakusp area specifically.
The map indicates whether businesses are open to public visitors, accessible via social media, or running seasonal farmstands and annual food events. Almost a dozen other farms stretching around the Arrow Lakes are also featured, offering shrubs, meats, produce, honey, nuts, cider and even livestock.
This enhanced digital resource strives to connect Nakusp businesses and customers alike to support and encourage more investment in local food and beverage markets, especially at a time when "buying Canadian" has seen more emphasis amid the country's ongoing tariff war with the U.S.
Despite NADB not receiving the grant funding it had been vying for this year from B.C.'s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, which would have gone toward a community food producer hub for Nakusp, the board shared on Facebook that it appreciates local organizations' and residents' eagerness to enhance agricultural and community development.
"Despite different levels of enthusiasm for the project within the community, the importance of local agriculture was highlighted for many," the post reads. "We will strive to keep the conversation going between local producers and food-based groups as we identify future initiatives."
Christine Riediger, whose 11-year-old herbal tea business Bush Berry is featured in the guide, told Black Press Media that NADB's work to highlight and connect local producers is a good initiative, even though its value varies for folks such as her who rely on ingredients from across B.C. and Canada.
"I think a lot of people don't realize the value of having a business in a remote area," Riediger said in reference to Nakusp, where in addition to her online store presence she sells loose-leaf tea at the farmers' market and Mountain Top Cafe.
Other Nakusp producers including Home Grown Market also already source a vast majority of their goods from within Canada, and Riediger looks forward to strengthening commerce ties with other businesses around the Arrow Lakes and Kootenays when the Basin Food Summit and Buyers Expo returns this November in Nelson.
The Grow Arrow Lakes food guide is available and downloadable at nadb.ca/growarrowlakes. The webpage also provides a forum for producers who would like to be added to the directory.
