Finding Connection In Local
Written by Johanna Mercedes, Loans Officer
British Columbia is home to incredibly diverse and unique regions. Travelling from the coast into the interior, I experienced the landscape changing from coastal forests and ocean to the dry, sandy mountains of the interior and eventually to forested mountains, rivers and freshwater lakes to the east.
Between these regions are pretty far distances, often with long stretches between larger towns and services. My daughter and I were fortunate to take our time on the drive and keep an eye out for local food systems and the different ways communities connect around food.
Travelling through BC is a great reminder that some of the most meaningful local food experiences aren’t necessarily found in the largest centres. Small towns and rural communities are home to businesses, food systems and community spaces that hold tremendous local value and play an important role in the communities they serve.
One of our favourite stops along Highway 3 was Hedley, a small community in the Similkameen Valley. While it can be easy to pass smaller communities when travelling between larger destinations, we were so glad we took the time to stop. Hedley ended up being a highlight of our day, with so much character, community connection and local offerings to experience.
At the heart of our stop was the Hedley Country Market, offering groceries, fresh produce, homemade sandwiches, soups, baking and other everyday food and pantry items. The market felt like a genuine community staple, an important local food resource for residents and surrounding communities, while also making Hedley a fun and welcoming stop for travellers.
For visitors, a local market like this creates a reason to stop, enjoy some food and experience more of the community. For locals, its value is deeply rooted. Businesses and spaces like this contribute to local food access, support local economic activity, and create spaces for community connection.
I especially enjoyed meeting the people behind the market and seeing the care and passion behind providing food to the community. One small moment stayed with us: there were free bags of chips set out in the outdoor seating area by staff, and we watched local kids come by, pick up a bag and leave smiling and excited. It was equally beautiful to see the joy of the people behind the market as the kids left happily with their chips. It was a simple gesture, but one that reflected the genuine sense of community we felt during our stop.
These are the people and businesses doing meaningful, community-oriented work throughout BC, particularly when it comes to local food. Experiences like this are a reminder that the impact of our vision here at Fair Finance Fund: a food business can extend well beyond the products on its shelves. Local markets can support food access, create gathering places, contribute to local economies and become important points of connection within smaller and rural communities.
Recognizing that impact also means recognizing the importance of investing in the people and businesses already doing this work, which is equally tied to Fair Finance Fund’s approach. We prioritize applications from underserved geographic regions, including rural and remote communities, and recognize the important impact community-rooted food and farm businesses have in the places they serve.
Our stop in Hedley was a small part of a much longer journey across BC, but it left a lasting impression. It was a great reminder to take the time to turn off the highway, explore smaller communities and recognize the tremendous value of the local businesses and food systems already rooted within them.
P.S. Whether it’s equipment, infrastructure, working capital, staffing, local sourcing or distribution, access to financing can help local food businesses strengthen their operations and build for the future. If you operate a local market, food hub or other food or farm business and are looking for financing to start, build or grow a project, we would be happy to connect, learn more about what you’re working toward and explore how Fair Finance Fund could support your next steps.
