The Food Resilience Alliance (FRA) is a collaborative network dedicated to strengthening food and agriculture initiatives across the Southern Gulf Islands. Since securing a Community Works Fund grant in Spring 2021, the FRA has supported a diverse range of projects led by organizations across all four islands. Our mission is to address regional food system challenges and opportunities through collective action, fostering sustainable practices and resilience within the local agricultural sector.
In 2024-2025, the SGI Community Economic Sustainability Commission (CESC) and Capital Regional District (CRD) sponsored the newly shaped Grower Network Initiative (GNI) to advance three key priorities.
First, Knowledge Sharing through two online workshops: Unlocking Agricultural Grants, providing guidance on accessing funding opportunities, and a Climate Strategy Workshop for small-scale producers, which explored closed-loop farming practices and climate adaptation strategies.
Second, the introduction of an online Farmstand Mapping tool to support SGI Growers by increasing visibility and accessibility of locally grown food.
Third, the creation of a Farm to Market service designed to support SGI livestock producers, paired with a Farmgate Awareness Campaign to encourage both emerging and established livestock producers to participate in the Province’s Farmgate Plus License Program, expanding local meat processing capacity and increasing access to regionally produced meats.
Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen regional agricultural capacity, enhance food security, and promote sustainable food production.
Current Projects
Farmgate Plus & Resources
Interested in finding out more about the Farmgate Plus License? Check out the FRA’s Farmgate Plus Resource Catalogue here. This useful guidebook outlines the process with online links to applications, education and additional resources for livestock producers.
Farmstand Mapping
Join us in making it easier for island residents and visitors to discover and support your farm’s fresh offerings!
GNI’s Farmstand Mapping Project connects local consumers with fresh, locally grown foods across the Southern Gulf Islands. If you’re a farmstand owner, register your stand to be included on the Islands Farms Stands map and help promote your fresh, sustainable products to the community!