About Us
Why We're Doing This
Local food systems are full of potential, but contain complex barriers that make it challenging to realize this potential. In rural regions like B.C.’s Southern Interior, producers, carriers, and buyers often work in isolation,because connecting and coordinating is labour intensive and inefficient. Food distribution is impeded because transportation costs are high, logistics can be complicated, and many of the tools that exist for managing supply chains are either too complex, too expensive, or simply not built with small-scale or rural communities in mind.
Grow & Connect was created to change that.
We’re developing practical, community-led tools that strengthen how food gets from producer to table. By making your local food system networks more visible and easier to navigate, we help small producers reach new markets, reduce duplication, and uncover missed opportunities.
Our approach is grounded in collaboration. From early design to testing routes and gathering feedback, local producers, carriers, nonprofits, and retailers have helped shape every stage of Grow & Connect. Together, we're mapping out the regional food distribution system, identifying gaps, and designing solutions—like a community “loadboard,” interactive food system maps, and real-time order tracking—to respond to the challenges rural food actors face every day.
Ultimately, we’re building more than a set of tools. We’re building stronger relationships, more efficient logistics, and a regional food system that works better for everyone—from independent farmers to institutional buyers. By investing in shared infrastructure and removing barriers to participation, Grow & Connect is helping communities take control of their food systems and make them more resilient, inclusive, and economically viable.
Why Join Grow and Connect
In rural food systems, it can be hard to know who’s out there, how to move your product efficiently, or where the opportunities to fill those gaps lie. That’s where we come in. Grow & Connect gives you tools to simplify logistics, reduce transportation costs, and build strong connections with others in the local food system. Post or find deliveries on the loadboard, track orders in real time, and explore shared routes or storage options—all in one place. You’ll also gain access to an interactive map of regional food actors, so you can discover new partners, markets, and solutions.
Join us in creating a stronger, more efficient food system, ready for the future
