Original story by Kate Jory, former Communications Leader, Planetary Health, Vancouver Coastal Health
We know that how far food travels to its final destination has an impact on the environment. Now, only meters away from the Sechelt Hospital, the Salish Sea Regenerative Farm Society has successfully converted land into a regenerative farm, delivering fresh produce to patients, and serving as a symbol of community collaboration and sustainability.
The Farm is a not-for-profit initiative that uses the power of compost to regenerate healthy soils, restore biodiversity, draw down carbon emissions and enhance habitats to build a healthy food system. The Farm was started by a group of volunteers that are passionate about collaborating with the community and have backgrounds in farming, health care, and community development.
The initiative was made possible through a partnership with the shíshálh Nation, which allowed the Farm to use their land. Seemingly unusable land under BC Hydro lines was transformed into fertile soil using compost from Salish Soils. Salish Soils, a resource recovery center located on the Sunshine Coast, uses food waste from residential curbside pick-up and digestate from the Wastewater Treatment Plant to create compost to nourish the soil. This innovative use of space aligns with the broader goal of restoring the land and biodiversity while providing a local solution to food sustainability.
In 2023, the Farm produced over 18,000 pounds of food, and successfully supplied potatoes and other produce to the Sechelt Hospital, the Shíshálh Nation Elders, and to the greater community. Tomatoes and cucumbers were also distributed in smaller quantities. In total, over 2000 lbs of produce were supplied to the Sechelt Hospital and Meals on Wheels program. With grant funding to support farm expansion in 2024, yields are anticipated to be much higher. Farm volunteers and staff are also working with the Shíshálh Nation Elders to create a forest garden on the farm – which will include indigenous medicinal and food plants.
VCH recognizes the importance of offering fresh, nutritious food to patients as they recover in hospital, and by sourcing healthy produce locally, in this case mere metres away, we’re also taking care of our environment at the same time. On average, approximately 98% of the Sunshine Coast’s food is grown off the coast. By supporting local initiatives, and aligning with our planetary health pillar, VCH is fostering sustainable practices for the well-being of patients and communities.
The Farm stands as a testament to innovation, community collaboration, reconciliation and environmental sustainability. To learn more about this impactful program, visit salishsearegenerative.farm.
