Local Food Matters, a non-profit organization working to improve community food security in Golden and Area A, has presented the Town Council with a comprehensive proposal for a new Growers Collective Farm Hub—an innovative facility aimed at improving year-round access to local food.
The proposal, included in the June 3 Council agenda, outlines a multi-phase project that would provide vital infrastructure to support small-scale farmers, regional producers, the Golden Food Bank, school food programs, restaurants, and households experiencing food insecurity. At the heart of the idea is a containerized cold and dry storage facility combined with a user-friendly online distribution platform.
Addressing a Seasonal Gap in Local Food Supply
The project aims to tackle a specific problem: the lack of affordable, accessible local food during the winter months. While the summer season in the Columbia Valley supports a strong local food network, Local Food Matters has identified significant challenges facing producers in the off-season.
Chief among them are high infrastructure costs for cold storage and the absence of coordinated distribution systems.
The Farm Hub is envisioned as “backbone food infrastructure” for the community, offering producers a centralized place to store and aggregate goods, while also giving consumers a digital platform to order food directly.
The hub would also serve as a conduit for food flowing into Golden from nearby agricultural regions such as the Shuswap and Okanagan, improving variety and volume of fresh, healthy food throughout the year.
Two Phases, Big Potential
Phase 1 of the project involves the placement of two modified 40-foot shipping containers on a suitable site.
One container would be refrigerated, with separate temperature zones to store different types of produce, while the second would be used for dry storage and light processing, equipped with tables, shelving, and a sink.
The layout would require about 2,800 square feet, access to power and water, and space for deliveries and staff parking.
Phase 2 looks to the future: a greenhouse or hydroponic growing unit that could support year-round production and strengthen local food sovereignty. This second phase would need an additional 3,200 square feet and further utility servicing, with the long-term goal of creating a full-fledged community farm.
The proposal also includes a direct-to-consumer online platform that would simplify ordering, manage inventory, and support both household and commercial users in sourcing local and regional food.
Why Municipal Land?
While Local Food Matters originally secured a Letter of Intent to lease private farmland on Anderson Road, they have now formally requested that the Town of Golden assist in locating a municipally-owned site instead.
The shift stems from concerns about fairness, long-term viability, and access to funding.
Specifically, there were worries about placing a publicly supported facility on a private landholder’s property, especially if that producer is part of the collective. Funders also expressed hesitation to invest in costly site preparations on private land, particularly when upgrades to power and water infrastructure would be required.
Furthermore, the private lease included commercial rates, which Local Food Matters argues would raise costs for users and undermine the facility’s nonprofit mission.
Two potential municipal sites have been suggested: a right-of-way on 11th Street North near Public Works, and the old town works yard at the southeast end of 13th Street South. Both locations are accessible by truck, are adjacent to power infrastructure, and have space for future expansion.
The 13th Street location also offers excellent southern exposure, making it ideal for greenhouse use.
Who Benefits
The proposed Farm Hub is designed to serve a wide cross-section of the community. Local growers would gain affordable storage and a stable distribution network, allowing them to increase production.
The Golden Food Bank, which often has to turn down large produce donations due to limited storage, would be able to accept and store more food for redistribution.
Three producers have already confirmed they would ramp up production in the hub’s first year of operation. The project would also support a regional food bank procurement initiative, a developing school meal program focused on seasonal ingredients, and even the creation of affordable meal kits for low-income families.
Local restaurants and chefs, who currently face challenges coordinating with individual farmers, would benefit from a streamlined supply chain for fresh, local food.
Financial Plan and Request for Support
The proposal is backed by a detailed financial model developed with the help of a consultant. In Year 1 (2025–26), capital costs are estimated at $161,965, with just under half of that funding already confirmed. Additional startup costs for program development and consulting are pegged at $50,000.
While the facility is not expected to break even in its first two years, the projections show it reaching a small operating surplus by Year 3 (2027–28). Local Food Matters is requesting a three-year investment from the Town of Golden to support core operations during this startup phase:
• Year 1: $100,000
• Year 2: $90,000
• Year 3: $80,000
The organization emphasizes that this funding is not meant to be permanent. Rather, it is an incubation strategy to help the facility become self-sustaining while fulfilling a public good. The requested funds would be used primarily for staffing and operational support.
A Bigger Vision for Food Security
Beyond the Farm Hub, Local Food Matters continues to lead several existing initiatives, including the Golden Farmers Market, the Glean Golden food recovery program, and a forthcoming school food program.
The group has also committed to supporting recommendations from the Local Food Production Assessment and plans to collaborate with the Town during its upcoming Official Community Plan (OCP) review to further embed food security into municipal planning.
In short, the Farm Hub proposal represents a strategic investment in long-term community resilience, offering economic benefits for local producers, greater access to healthy food for families, and a step forward in Golden’s commitment to sustainability and local capacity-building.
