Recommendation Seven

Explore a program that may equip small scale food processors with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and scale their businesses effectively. Providing guidance, training, and expert consultation may provide small scale food processors with the skills necessary to create a resilient and thriving businesses within the small scale food and beverage sector.

Ground truthing suggests small scale food processors lack knowledge and skills on how to reduce costs, optimizing efficiency, and scaling their businesses to meet growing demand and expand market reach. To address these needs and support the long-term success and sustainability of small scale food processors, the implementation of a comprehensive program focused on ingredient/material and process efficiency cost reduction strategies and techniques, as well as business scaling strategies tailored specifically to their needs may be beneficial.
The Lean for Food and Beverage Processors Program is a great offering for some food processing businesses. However, this program may not provide the more basic skills needed for small scale processors who may be in the initial years of business or who do not qualify for the Lean program.

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Recommendation Details

Accessing grants and funding opportunities is pivotal for the growth and sustenance of the small scale food processor industry. However, the scattered nature of available resources across multiple platforms may pose challenges for processors in identifying and accessing relevant funding. To alleviate these barriers and foster a conducive environment for industry growth, establishing a centralized depository website or platform may be beneficial for small scale food processors. This platform could serve as a comprehensive resource hub consolidating information on both internal programs offered by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food and external funding opportunities from various external program providers.

Recommendation One

Explore establishing a centralized grant and funding information platform. This platform could gather internal and external funding opportunities, provide access to resources, and promote community engagement. The platform could also foster collective empowerment, prosperity, and sustainability within the small scale food processor industry.