WELCOMING + COMMUNITY SOAP BOX
These concise presentations serve as a springboard for broader discussions and networking. Designed to activate insights into the diversity of stakeholders in the room, these snack like presentations are sure to generate conversation and enhance our networking. 1) NADB Agriculture Committee - Grow Arrow Lakes: An Intro to the Local Food Economy and the People Behind It. 2) Food Commons - Growing Together: Cultivating Food Security and Community Spaces Through Collaboration 3) Fireweed Food Hub - From Vision to Vittles. 4) Grow & Connect Interior - Building a local food distribution network.
EXPLORING SALES CHANNELS FOR GROWTH
During this session we will explore the various sale channels available for farm and food producers including direct-to-consumer and wholesale options. Learn ways to market in each channel and how to set your business up to transition between them for sustainable growth. Sales channels we'll cover include subscription models, restaurants, pop ups, e-commerce, and more. You'll walk away with fresh ideas you can implement into your business regardless of how you currently sell.
Kendall Ballantine
CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS: HOW PERENNIAL AGROFORESTRY FEEDS DIVERSITY AND MARKET OPPORTUNITY FOR PRODUCERS AND BUYERS
In the face of climate uncertainty and the growing demand for resilient local food systems, perennial crops like nut trees, fruit trees, and berry bushes provide a sustainable solution. This session will delve into the potential of crops such as chestnuts, walnuts, and mulberries, alongside integrated animal systems like silvopasture, within the Kootenays’ unique climate. We’ll explore practical strategies—such as alley cropping and integrated orchards—that enable producers to diversify their yields, reduce risks, and bolster local food security. These systems not only offer ecological benefits but also open up new market opportunities for both producers and buyers by fostering sustainable, long-term growth. Much like a mycelial network, perennial agriculture forms a resilient, interconnected system that promotes innovation and diversity. By connecting perennial crop production with processing and distribution, we can create a thriving ecosystem for regional food systems. The discussion will also highlight the crucial need for local food manufacturing, storage, and distribution infrastructure to support these efforts, ultimately unlocking the untapped potential for both farmers and buyers in the region.
Brian Goldstein
Forest McCormack
LOCAL LUNCH
Lucky Pup
Fomo Foods
MUSHROOM GROWING FOR GROWERS WHO DON'T GROW MUSHROOMS
Mushroom grower Robin Mercy showcases simple and effective uses for mushrooms outside of the context of commercial cultivation, looking at ways that our fungal friends can enhance our growing systems, heal damaged landscapes, recycle our waste streams and more, in a fun, engaging, and practical presentation for current and future fungal allies.
Robin Mercy
BALANCING ACT: REGIONAL NEEDS, ASPIRATIONAL GOALS AND THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING A FOOD HUB
What exactly is a food hub, and how do they foster a resilient food system in BC? The answers are more complex than they seem. Food hubs must balance regional needs, community goals, and the realities of running a sustainable enterprise. In this presentation, we will share key findings from our research on food hubs within regional food systems, highlighting the opportunities and challenges they face in fulfilling their diverse roles. We’ll conclude with a discussion on strategies to strengthen their long-term sustainability.
Sarah-Patricia Breen
Lindsay Harris
PANEL: STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR FOOD BUSINESSES
After another challenging summer of wildfires, crop losses, and marginal working conditions, it’s time to take stock of how emergencies impact our food businesses. What lessons can we gather from our local and regional experiences to better prepare for future crises? This panel brings together experts and industry leaders to share practical strategies for building resilient operations and communities. Through real-world examples and current initiatives, panelists will discuss how to create effective emergency plans, identify and mitigate risks, and explore collaborative approaches to safeguarding food systems during times of crisis. Whether you’re a producer, processor, retailer, or distributor this session will bring together valuable insights to help you adapt and thrive in the face of unexpected challenges.
Chris Marsh
Mandi Lunen
Kendall Ballantine
Basin Food Team
FIRESIDE CHAT: ERIN HARRIS OF KOOTENAY MEADOWS
Fireside Chats are back! Join us for an intimate conversation with Kootenay Meadows’ own Erin Harris. Continuing her family’s legacy, Erin oversees a 100-cow organic herd that produces a range of high-quality dairy products cherished throughout the Kootenays.
Erin Harris
Jordan Mar
BITES AND SITES: A TASTE OF NAKUSP
Embark on a culinary adventure with Bites and Sights: Taste of Nakusp! This unique progressive dining experience combines tapas tasting with a fun, interactive scavenger hunt. Armed with a map, participants will explore Nakusp’s hidden gems, savor local bites, and check off each stop along the way. Discover the town’s flavors and sights as you indulge in a delicious and playful evening of food and exploration!
NAKUSP HOTSPRING: MUSHROOM SYMPHONY
Immerse yourself in the ultimate night-time floating experience at Nakusp Hot Springs! Dive into a surreal sonic journey as multi-instrumentalist Nella Banner blends ethereal sounds with live feedback from mushrooms, crafting a one-of-a-kind ambient symphony.
Nella Banner
WELCOMING + COMMUNITY SOAP BOX
1) Golden Food Bank - Regional Food Procurement Network Pilot: Opportunities for low-income food programs to access more local food. 2) Land 2 Table - Connecting Local Food to Community: A North Okanagan Community Food Infrastructure Project. 3) BC Food & Bev - State of the Industry Report
FARMING KARMA JUICE
Binny Boparai-Gill
GROW & CONNECT
Building on last year’s discussion at FABx23 about distribution challenges, this session will provide an update on our ongoing supply chain modelling project. We’ll share the latest software developments designed to address specific distribution needs in the region. Your feedback is key—audience input on our progress so far will help shape future improvements. This is your chance to let us know how we can make these tools more effective for you!
Rebecca Richards
PANEL: INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND INSIGHTS FOR MODERN FOOD PRODUCERS
Innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about finding new ways to solve problems, increase efficiency, and grow your business. This panel will explore how food producers can innovate at every stage of the business, from operations and product development to sales and customer engagement. Our panelists will share practical, creative strategies for improving processes, adding value to products, and expanding market reach. Whether you’re a farmer, processor, or food entrepreneur, you’ll walk away inspired to implement innovative practices that support long-term growth and success.
Leeza Zurwick
Binny Boparai-Gill
James Donaldson
Amber McGregor
LOCAL LUNCH + NETWORKING
Rico Catering
EXHIBITOR SETUP
BUYERS ON TAP
Join us for Buyers on Tap, an exciting speed-dating-style session designed to foster quick, dynamic connections between food producers and buyers. In this interactive format, producers will have up to 5 minutes with each buyer to pitch their products, ask pressing questions, and explore potential partnerships. Whether you’re looking for market insights, feedback on your products, or to establish key relationships, this is your chance to gain valuable face time with influential buyers in a casual and engaging setting. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to open doors and build lasting connections!
Basin Food Team
UNLOCKING FARMLAND ACCESS
As farmland becomes increasingly tied to the rising prices of speculative markets, accessibility for food producers continues to slip further out of reach. The implications for regional food security are profound, making this issue a pressing concern for our panelists, who have long been engaged in this conversation. Drawing on their firsthand knowledge, experience, and insights, this panel will explore a range of innovative approaches to farmland access—highlighting their strengths, limitations, and the work to be done to ensure the future of farms and farmers.
Dr. Colin Dring
Heather Pritchard
Darcy Smith
Jordan Mar
FOOD & BUYERS EXPO
The Expo Hour is an invaluable opportunity for food producers to gain experience and hone their skills in a focused, supportive environment. This session offers a smaller-scale expo setting where producers can connect with buyers, practice delivering their pitch, and receive constructive feedback. Whether you’re a seasoned exhibitor or new to the world of expos, this is your chance to refine your approach, showcase your products, and build meaningful relationships that could lead to future collaborations. Use this time to engage buyers, ask questions, and grow your network in a relaxed, productive atmosphere.
TASTE OF THE BASIN
FARM-TO-TABLE DINNER [TICKETED]
In celebration of our vibrant local food community, join us and Chef Tyler for a one-of-a-kind seasonal feast. Showcasing producers from across the Basin, this unforgettable meal promises a memorable menu, a stunning location, and the warmth of a gathering that brings our community together.
LIVE: THE SONIC FEAST
This isn’t your typical dinner music. Multi-instrumentalist Nella Banner will craft a one-of-a-kind auditory experience, weaving a tapestry of sound that turns dinner itself into part of the music. Drawing on the rich selection of local foods on our plates, Nella will blend the biofeedback frequencies of this farm-to-table meal into their musical meanderings, creating a unique sensory connection between taste and sound.
Nella Banner
Public Market Day
Get ready for a day full of flavor and fun at the Basin's ultimate food celebration! Join us as vendors from across the Columbia Basin and beyond bring their finest food and beverages for you to enjoy. It's the perfect opportunity to fill your pantry with local delights and find unique holiday gifts! This year, don't miss our special Mushroom Artisan Market, where you'll discover everything from gourmet mushrooms to handmade crafts. Plus, we have epic local speakers sharing their expertise on harvesting, cultivation, and the amazing benefits of mushrooms. Enjoy live music, savor delicious bites from food trucks, and experience the one-of-a-kind Mushroom Symphony—a musical journey inspired by nature. Admission is just $2, with all proceeds supporting our talented musicians. Don't miss out on this incredible day of community, culture, and culinary delight!
MUSHROOMS! WHY, WHEN AND HOW TO HARVEST
Join Candice Cullum, a passionate wild crafter and fungi expert, for an in-depth exploration of the fascinating world of mushrooms. Drawing on over a decade of experience with the Alberta Mycological Society and foraging across Western Canada, Candice will guide you through the essentials of mushroom foraging, including when to harvest, which species to look for, and how to harvest sustainably. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced forager, this talk will deepen your appreciation for wild fungi and inspire you to connect with nature in new and meaningful ways.
Candice Cullum
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS OF THE KOOTENAYS
Learn about the many benefits medicinal mushrooms can have in supporting immunity, helping us adapt to stress, and for supporting our organ systems including the nervous system, liver, kidneys and circulatory system from a clinical herbal perspective. We will discuss how medicinal mushrooms can best be integrated into daily life for the maintenance of health and prevention of chronic disease. We will also discuss in detail what medicinal mushrooms are found growing locally in the Kootenay region, how to identify and prepare them, and how our local species compare in their medicinal qualities to well known medicinal mushrooms such as reishi and lion's mane.
Patrick Kooyman
PLANT MEDICINE FOR MENTAL WELLBEING
Many plants and fungi have a long history of being used for wellness, and now research is backing up what thousands of years of traditional practices have taught us. There are many helper plants that we can use for cognitive improvement, mood balancing, energy improvement, and these medicines can also help to process difficult emotions like trauma and grief. Learn how plant medicine can offer gentle and effective support for clarity, function and mental wellbeing!
Chelsea Dawn
MUSHROOMS IN MINUTES
Mushroom grower Robin Mercy (Mr. Mercy's Mushrooms) breaks down three simple ways to grow mushrooms at home with no experience and minimal supplies. Learn the basics of growing from tabletop kits, making a mushroom garden bed, and creating perennial mushroom logs, all in a half-hour hands-on workshop!
Robin Mercy
FARM TOUR: McCormack Farm
Join Forest McCormack for an insightful tour of his multi-generational family farm in Burton. As the fourth generation to lead McCormack Farm, Forest has embraced a commitment to regenerative agriculture, steering the farm into new ventures while building on his family’s legacy. The farm produces grassfed beef, pastured eggs, nuts, and berries, with a focus on enhancing ecological health through innovative practices like agroforestry and silvopasture. Over the past two years, Forest has planted over 1,500 trees and shrubs, advocating for these sustainable practices to be adopted more widely to improve farm diversity, resilience, and profitability across the Columbia Basin.
Forest McCormack
HIGH TEA AT THE FIREWEED FOOD HUB
Join us at the Fireweed Hub for a traditional afternoon high tea hosted by The Magenta Cafe, from 2 PM to 5 PM. Experience New Denver’s latest food business pop-up and incubator while savoring a delightful tea. It’s an ideal stop after a day in Nakusp!