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🥕The Columbia Basin's only annual Food & Buyer Expo! Join us in Kimberley BC November 5-6 2026 for #FABx26

Think you’re ready to take your food business into

Think you’re ready to take your food business into a bigger market? Start with your numbers.

According to Export Advisor, Michael Hoher, one of the most important things a food business can do before scaling is develop a solid understanding of its finances.

Because growth doesn't just mean more sales. It can mean more ingredients, more packaging, more equipment, more space, increased production and an increasingly complex supply chain.

Before taking that next step, Michael suggests businesses should have a strong handle on:

🔷 Finances and cash flow
🔷 Product-market fit
🔷 Supply chain
🔷 Production capacity
🔷 Space and infrastructure

His biggest warning? Don’t manage your finances through the rearview mirror. If you only dig into your numbers once a year, you’re making decisions based on what happened months ago. Understand your profit and loss, cash flow, expenses and receivables as they’re happening so you know whether your business is actually ready for its next stage of growth

Michael will be bringing his years of business and export experience to FABx26 this November, including moderating our Scaling Beyond the Basin panel.

Join us November 5-6 in Kimberley! Register here → link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust

#Scaling #FoodBusiness #FoodProducer #EastKootenays #WestKootenays #Kootenays #KimberleyBC #CranbrookBC #Food #FoodExpo #BasinFood #FABx

Want to get your product onto more store shelves?

Want to get your product onto more store shelves? Start by making it easy for the buyer to say yes.

Danika Hammond, co-owner of @silvertongeneralstore, works with more than 150 suppliers and she has three tips for food and beverage producers hoping to get their products into stores.

✅Take the guesswork out of pricing. Be clear about your wholesale price and suggested retail price.

✅ Make ordering easy. The easier it is for a buyer to get your product into their store, the better.

✅ Be flexible. When a store is trying your product for the first time, flexibility around order quantities and case sizes can make a big difference.

Want more opportunities to get your products in front of buyers like Danika? That’s what FABx is all about, especially our popular Buyers On Tap session.

Join us November 5-6 in Kimberley! Register here → www.basin-food.tickit.ca/events/34852-basin-food-buyer-expo-fabx26 (link in bio)

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust

#FoodProducer #SlocanValley #Grocer #Food #Tips

Want to win one of TWO ultimate Basin Food pizza p

Want to win one of TWO ultimate Basin Food pizza prizes? 🍕🔥

🍕 BASIN FOOD PIZZA BUNDLE: A $250 pizza-party package packed with Columbia Basin ingredients and pizza-making goodies.

🔥 GRAND PRIZE: A Basin Food pizza bundle + @gozney Tread portable pizza oven, worth $900. The Tread is a compact, portable propane pizza oven designed for making restaurant-quality pizza wherever you take it! Learn more at https://ca.gozney.com/)

Both draws will take place at the Basin Food Public Market in Kimberley on November 5 between 5–6 pm. You don’t need to be there in person for the Basin Food Pizza Bundle but you do need to be there in person to win the Grand Prize!

HOW TO ENTER:
🍕 Follow Basin Food
🍕 Like this post
🍕 Comment and tag a foodie friend AND tell us your favourite fermented pizza topping. Pickles? Kimchi? Sauerkraut? Something weird?

BONUS ENTRY: Share this post to your stories + tag us.

Giveaway runs October 6-16. Both winners will be randomly drawn in person on November 5. The Basin Food pizza bundle can be won even if you’re not there, but you must be in attendance to win the GRAND PRIZE of the Gozney pizza oven, or we’ll draw again.

Good luck!

Learn more about the Basin Food & Buyers Expo at www.basinfood.ca (link in bio)

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust

#Gozney #PizzaOven #Kootenays #WestKootenays #EastKootenays #KimberleyBC #Pizza #Prize #FoodProducer #FoodBuyer

What does it actually look like to take a local fo

What does it actually look like to take a local food business from an idea to new markets?

At FABx26, Export Advisor Michael Hoher will moderate, “Scaling Beyond the Basin: Basin Success Stories,” on November 5. This panel discussion will feature a conversation with three Basin food businesses that have taken very different paths:

🟢 Bruce from Mountain Munchies / @enercheez
🟢 Sara from @stokethefiresmallbatch
🟢 Allester from @stokejuiceca

Michael has already interviewed all three businesses in preparation for the conversation, and says what struck him most is how different their journeys have been and how inspiring each business’s journey has been.

Whether you’re still developing an idea, selling at farmers’ markets, considering distribution or looking beyond BC, Michael says there will be valuable takeaways at every stage.

Join us November 5-6 in Kimberley! Register here → https://basin-food.tickit.ca/events/34852-basin-food-buyer-expo-fabx26

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust

#BasinFood #FABx26 #FoodExpo #Panel #EastKootenays #Kootenays #Exporting #FoodProducer #Food

Indigenous food traditions carry generations of kn

Indigenous food traditions carry generations of knowledge about land, culture and community.

Today, we recognize the deep connections between food, land, culture and community, and the Indigenous knowledge, traditions and practices that continue across this region.

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we take time to listen, learn and reflect on the ongoing work of reconciliation.

14 Columbia Basin farms are coming to FABx26…for f

14 Columbia Basin farms are coming to FABx26…for free!

Earlier this month, the @kootenaycoop generously committed $2,500 to help 10 farm businesses attend FABx26. When applications closed, 14 eligible farms had put their hands up. Rather than choose between them, Basin Food is covering the additional registrations so all 14 can attend. They’ll join dozens of other farms at the event.

That means more farmers in the room connecting with buyers, retailers, experts and each other, and accessing practical sessions on funding, farm business development, regenerative agriculture, marketing and more.

This year, we’ve made a deliberate effort to bring more farming-focused programming to FABx, and seeing this level of interest tells us how important that is.

A huge thank you to the Kootenay Co-op for sponsoring this initiative and investing in Columbia Basin farmers. We’re pretty excited to welcome all 14 to Kimberley. 💚

Join us November 5-6 in Kimberley! Register here → link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust

#BasinFood #FABx26 #FABx #FoodExpo #Farmer #Farm #FarmBusiness #FoodProducer #Kootenays #EastKootenays #WestKootenays #ColumbiaBasin

East Kootenay food + farm businesses: FABx26 is co

East Kootenay food + farm businesses: FABx26 is coming to your backyard!

On November 5 & 6, food and farm businesses from across the Columbia Basin are coming together in Kimberley for two days focused on the Business of Food.

And you don’t need to be a retail-ready producer or exhibitor to belong in the room.

If you grow it, make it, buy it, sell it, cook it or distribute it, or you’re working toward launching something new, FABx26 is for you.

Come to:

🥒 Dig into practical food + farm business development
🥒 Connect with buyers, producers, farmers and industry experts
🥒 Get one-on-one advice for your business
🥒 Learn about funding, scaling, marketing, food science and more
🥒 Discover businesses and products from across the Basin
🥒 And yes, experience a little pickle-fuelled fun along the way

Come be part of it November 5-6 in Kimberley! Register here → link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#BasinFood #EastKootenay #EastKootenays #Kootenays #KimberleyBC #FernieBC #CranbrookBC #FoodBusiness #FoodProducer #FoodBuyer #Food #localFood

Columbia Basin farmers: four days left to apply! 🌱

Columbia Basin farmers: four days left to apply! 🌱 The @kootenaycoop is sponsoring 10 farm businesses to attend FABx26 this November. Applications close September 22.

Each selected farm business can choose from:

🌱 A FREE exhibitor table + admission for one
OR
🎟️ Two FREE general admission tickets

Each package is valued at $250, giving farmers the chance to connect with buyers, retailers and other food businesses while digging into topics like regenerative agriculture, funding, business growth, marketing and more.

Apply here by September 22, 2026: link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#Farm #FoodBusiness #FABx #WestKootenays #EastKootenays #SlocanValley #Farmer #FoodExpo

Your farm is a business, and FABx26 is here to hel

Your farm is a business, and FABx26 is here to help you grow it. 💚 This year, we’re putting a bigger focus on the real business challenges and opportunities facing Columbia Basin farmers.

Here’s a sneak peek:

🌱 The Business Case for Regenerative Principles on Your Farm — Brent Preston, @thenewfarm

🌱 Authentic Communication for Farmers — practical skills for connecting with customers, funders and your community

🌱 The Business of Growing — planning, borrowing and scaling — Paul Kelly, @communityfutures_centralkoot

🌱 Money Talks — loans and grants for food and farm businesses

🌱 Simple Social Media Strategies for Your Food & Beverage Business — Heather Gallamore

🌱 When Business Goes Wrong — navigating challenges — @mandi.lunan and @jessica_piccinin

And it’s not all workshops. Connect one-on-one with experts and peers, meet buyers and other businesses from across the Basin, and showcase your products to the public at our Public Expo & @kimberleyfarmersmarket Basin Food Pop-Up Edition!

Join us November 5-6 in Kimberley! Register here → link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#FABx #FABx26 #Food #Farm #Farmer #FarmBusiness #FoodBusiness #WestKootenays #EastKootenays #KimberleyBC #ColumbiaBasin

From a conversation at FABx to a product on the sh

From a conversation at FABx to a product on the shelf. 🛒 That’s exactly what’s happened for Danika Hammond, co-owner of Silverton General Store.

Danika is heading to FABx for her third year as a buyer, looking for products and connections that make sense for her rural general store, which works with more than 150 suppliers across its different departments.

“We have a bunch of different suppliers who I met at FABx, and now their product is featured in the store.”

For Danika, that face-to-face connection creates a foundation that can turn into a lasting business relationship.

Join us November 5-6 in Kimberley! Register here → www.basin-food.tickit.ca/events/34852-basin-food-buyer-expo-fabx26 (link in bio)

Learn more about @silvertongeneralstore here: www.silvertongeneralstore.ca

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#FoodExpo #WestKootenays #EastKootenays #FoodProducer #FoodBuyer

What if building a stronger food system starts wit

What if building a stronger food system starts with how we talk to each other? 🌱 We're excited to welcome farmer, author and food system advocate Brent Preston of @thenewfarm.

Brent and his wife spent almost 20 years operating a regenerative organic vegetable farm in Ontario before transforming it into The New Farm Centre, a non-profit dedicated to developing, demonstrating and advocating for regenerative farming in Canada. He's also President of Farmers for Climate Solutions and author of the national bestseller The New Farm.

At this year’s Basin Food & Buyer Expo, Brent will join us on both days:

Day 1: Stop explaining. Start inspiring.
An interactive session for farmers, ranchers and food workers on becoming stronger communicators, whether you're trying to grow your business, receive a grant or advocate for change.

Day 2: Finding common ground through food.
Brent will share stories from more than two decades of building a regenerative food system and explore how food can bring people with very different perspectives together.

Learn from Brent at FABx26 on November 5 & 6 in Kimberley. Register here → link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#Farm #NewFarm #Farmer #FoodExpo #FABx #FABx26 #FoodExpo #Speaker #SpeakerSpotlight #Farming #Food #WestKootenays #EastKootenays #KimberleyBC

Calling Columbia Basin farmers! 🌱 The @kootenaycoo

Calling Columbia Basin farmers! 🌱 The @kootenaycoop wants to send 10 of you to FABx26, happening November 5 & 6 in Kimberley, BC.

This year, farming is a significant part of the conversation at the Basin Food & Buyers Expo, and the Kootenay Co-op is helping make sure farmers are in the room and part of it.

Through a $2,500 sponsorship, 10 farm businesses will each receive their choice of:

🌱 A FREE exhibitor table + admission for one
OR
🎟️ Two FREE general admission tickets

Each package is valued at $250. Why? Because relationships matter.

As longtime farmers begin to retire and a new generation builds the future of farming in the Columbia Basin, there’s value in getting them, retailers, buyers and other food businesses into the same room. You’ll get to meet and learn from each other, local retailers and buyers, and build relationships that can last well beyond the event.

And FABx26 has sessions on regenerative agriculture, financing and funding, business growth, marketing and more.

This opportunity is open to farm businesses throughout the Columbia Basin. Fill out the application form, and 10 winners will be randomly selected from all eligible submissions.

🥕 Apply here by September 22, 2026: link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#Farmer #FoodBusiness #FarmBusiness #Farm #Kootenays #WestKootenays #EastKootenays #ColumbiaBasin #FoodProducer #FABx #FABx26 #FoodExpo #LoaclFood

Two days…a whole lot happening. Here’s how FABx26

Two days…a whole lot happening. Here’s how FABx26 breaks down. 👇

🛒 THURSDAY → Get your product in the room.
Thursday is about connections, exposure and market opportunities. Hear from Basin businesses that have successfully scaled, connect one-on-one with buyers and retail experts, then take those conversations onto the Expo floor and into Kimberley Farmers’ Market Basin Food Pop-Up Edition!

🌱 FRIDAY → Work on your business.
Friday is the deep dive. Dig into funding, scaling, retail, marketing, food science, regenerative agriculture and one-on-one conversations with experts throughout the day.

Farmers: if you can only choose one day, make it Friday. There’s a strong farming-focused stream built into the day.

Or better yet…come for both.

Join us November 5-6 in Kimberley! Register here → link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#BasinFood #Food #LocalFood #FABx #FABx26 #FoodExpo #Expo #KimberleyBC #EastKootenays #WestKootenays #Farmers #FoodProducers

East Kootenay, you’re invited! Come taste and shop

East Kootenay, you’re invited! Come taste and shop food and drinks from across the Columbia Basin at a special farmers’ market in Kimberley on November 5!

We are teaming up with the @kimberleyfarmersmarket for a special evening market, and everyone’s invited. Admission is FREE, and you don’t need to be registered for the expo to join us!

Alongside familiar faces, you’ll meet producers who don’t usually sell at your local market.

Come taste something new, fill your shopping bags and meet the people growing, baking, brewing and making food throughout the Columbia Basin.

🍯 Have BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupons? You can use them here! Bring them along to shop eligible foods at participating vendors, including honey and meat.

Happening November 5 from 5–7 p.m at the Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre.

Learn more at https://basinfood.ca/

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

📸: Jess Kazemi, taken at the @kimberleyfarmersmarket.

#FarmersMarket #BasinFood #KimberleyBC #EastKootenays #WestKootenays #FABx #FABx26 #Kootenays #Food #LocalFood #FoodProducer #FoodBuyer #Market #PublicMarket

Got a food or beverage product you want on more sh

Got a food or beverage product you want on more shelves? 👀 Put it in front of the people who can help get it there.

We're looking for more Columbia Basin food and beverage producers and processors to exhibit at FABx26 this November!

As an exhibitor, you'll get:
🛒 Face time with buyers from across the region and beyond
🤝 Access to 1:1 Buyers on Tap sessions
🎟️ Full access to two days of workshops, speakers and networking
🍽️ Local meals, snacks and plenty of opportunities to connect
👥 Plus, the chance to introduce your products to the public at our special @kimberleyfarmersmarket

If you're ready to grow your business and get your products onto more shelves, this is your chance.

Let's get down to the Business of Food. 🥒

Join us November 5-6 in Kimberley! Register here → link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#Exhibitor #FoodExpo #BasinFood #FABx #FABx26 #FoodProducer #Farmer #FarmersMarket #Expo #Food #LocalFood #FoodBuyer

The FABx26 agenda has been fermenting nicely. Want

It started as a one-day food expo in 2018 with a l

It started as a one-day food expo in 2018 with a local burger lunch and a single speaker. 🌱 Today, the Basin Food & Buyers Expo is a two-day gathering that brings together food producers, processors and buyers from across the region.

But the biggest change isn't the size of the event. It's the relationships.

Over the years, we've watched producers meet buyers at FABx, build connections over a meal, and months later see those same products on grocery store shelves. We've seen buyers who once came for a few hours now stay for the entire event.

Today, national retailers like Sobeys, Safeway and Save-On-Foods join the independent grocers who have supported FABx from the beginning, creating even more opportunities for meaningful connections.

We've also watched FABx become something people genuinely look forward to. November is a busy time, and the Basin is a big place, yet people continue to make room in their schedules, travel across the region and return year after year. That tells us this event has become something special.

The best part? This event has evolved because of you.

Every year we ask for your feedback. We keep what works, rethink what doesn't and continue building an event that reflects the needs of our regional food community.

That's why breakfast is back this year. That’s why we're creating more opportunities for one-on-one conversations with industry experts. That’s why local food continues to be at the heart of every meal we serve.

A strong regional food economy depends on connection between growers, producers, buyers, retailers and the organizations that support them. We're proud that FABx has become a place where those connections happen.

Thank you for helping shape what FABx has become. We can't wait to welcome you back to Kimberley this November 5 & 6.
.
Get your ticket here → link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#BasinFood #Food #LocalFood #KimberleyBC #EastKootenays #WestKootenays #Kootenays #FABx26 #FABx #FoodProducer #FoodBuyer

Don't get yourself in a pickle, save $25 on your t

Don't get yourself in a pickle, save $25 on your ticket to the Basin Food & Buyers Expo until August 31. 🥒

Join us November 5 & 6 in Kimberley and explore 'The Business of Food: Where Ideas Ferment'.

🥒 Connect with buyers, producers and industry experts.
💡 Discover practical strategies you can apply to your business.
🤝 Build relationships that continue long after the event ends.
🍽️ Enjoy incredible local food that celebrates the Basin's producers.

Save $25 when you register by August 31 → link in bio🎟️

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#BasinFood #LocalFood #FoodProducer #FoodBuyer #KimberleyBC #EastKootenays #WestKootenays #Kootenays #Food #Chef #Fermenting #Pickle

You asked for more food and we heard ya! 🥐 One of

You asked for more food and we heard ya! 🥐

One of the most common pieces of feedback from last year's Basin Food & Buyers Expo was more opportunities to eat and connect throughout the day.

So this year, we're serving up more than great conversations…
🥐 Breakfast is back to help you start your day.
🧀 Introducing a Ploughman's Lunch to go with our fermented theme, featuring incredible local meats, cheeses, pickles and more.
☕ Plus, all attendees will receive a dinner voucher for a night on the town meal on Thursday night!

Because some of the best business connections happen around a table.

And since this year is all about the Business of Food, we couldn't resist adding a few fun surprises along the way (let's just say... keep an eye out for a certain pickle-themed installation. 🥒✨…more info to come)!

We're excited to showcase the incredible food producers who make this region so special while creating even more opportunities for attendees to connect over great food.

See you November 5 and 6 in Kimberley. Get your ticket here → https://basin-food.tickit.ca/events/34852-basin-food-buyer-expo-fabx26

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#BasinFood #Food #LocalFood #FoodExpo #FoodProducer #FoodBuyer #Chef #KimberleyBC #EastKootenays #WestKootenays

One of the biggest takeaways from last year's Basi

One of the biggest takeaways from last year's Basin Food & Buyers Expo was that attendees wanted more time with the experts.🎙️

So this year, we're making it happen.

We're excited to welcome back Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci, hosts of the popular @thiscommercelife podcast and two of Canada's leading retail experts. Last year, their sessions on retail fundamentals and understanding buyers were among the most talked-about conversations of the event. This year they’re coming back to chat with you directly!

New for 2026, we’re providing opportunities to connect one-on-one with industry experts. Think of it as office hours for your food business.

Have a 20-minute conversation with Phil, Kenny or one of our other industry experts. Bring your questions, challenges or ideas and get practical advice tailored to your business.

Whether you're wondering how to approach retail buyers, improve your product positioning or navigate your next stage of growth, you'll have dedicated time with people who've helped countless food businesses succeed.

Happening November 5 & 6 in Kimberley. Get your ticket here → link in bio

The Basin Food & Buyers Expo is proudly supported by @columbiabasintrust.

#FABx #BasinFood #LocalFood #FoodExpert #Podcast #FoodPodcast #BusinessofFood #KimberleyBC #Kootenays #WestKootenays #EastKootenays

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