2025 Community Report

Community Report 2025

Contents.

FROM PITCH TO PODIUM: Melissa L’Heureux-Haché Founder and President of VEGAIN, presents at the 2025 Product of the Year Competition, where their SURGE vegan protein drink took home top honours.

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05

01 A Year of Progress A letter from Azeem Ahamed, Chair of the Board of Directors

06 08 10 14 16

02 About us Meet the BC Food & Beverage team

03 Momentum Through Uncertainty A letter from James Donaldson, CEO

04 Building Community Highlights from 2025

05 Looking Forward What’s new for 2026

06 Directors Continuing and Departing Directors

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“A huge thank you to everyone who makes BCFB what it is—from Thrive to the people who show up to BCFB’s peer groups and vulnerably share their highs and lows. I applaud you! This community is truly one of a kind, and I’m so grateful to be part of it.

Mara Mennicken, The Good Chocolatier

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01

A Year of Progress.

As I reflect on 2025, I’m struck by how much this Association has grown; in its impact, in its ability to support members, and in its standing as the voice of our industry. It has been a privilege to serve as Chair through a year that demonstrated, again and again, just how much BC Food & Beverage means to the sector it represents.

BCFB’s role as the voice of industry has never been more visible. CEO James Donaldson served as a co-chair of the Premier’s Task Force on Agriculture and Food Economy, helping bring the perspective of BC’s food and beverage processors directly to government and shaping recommendations delivered to the Premier on the issues that matter most to our members; from competitiveness and labour to investment in our sector’s future. To have a seat at that table, on behalf of all of you, speaks volumes about the trust and credibility this Association has earned.

It was also a year of real momentum within our community. We welcomed a record 108 new members to the BCFB family, our social media following grew to 22,000, and our Growth Hub completed an exciting first full year — reaching 1,800 users and resulting

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in 95 Growth certifications. Each of these numbers represents a processor better equipped to grow, compete, and succeed.

This growth is exactly why I’m so excited about what comes next. In the year ahead, we will be introducing a new Strategic Plan — one that builds on the great work already underway and sharpens our focus on the priorities that will carry our industry forward.

It reflects both the ambition of our members and the confidence we have in where this Association is headed.

I genuinely can’t wait for everyone to see what the BCFB team has in store for 2026. None of this year’s success would have been possible without them, and on behalf of the Board, my heartfelt thanks go to James, Alisa, and the entire team for their hard work and dedication in service of our remarkable industry.

With gratitude and optimism,

Azeem Ahamed Board Chair, BC Food & Beverage

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About Us. BC Food & Beverage is a not-for-profit industry association representing food and beverage manufacturers in British Columbia, whose members represent over $9 billion in industry revenues. BCFB connects processors of every size, from micro-businesses to large multi-brand manufacturers.

We lead, inspire and support, and we never stop moving forward.

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The 2025 team.

James Donaldson, CEO

Alisa Hutton, COO

Sumner Frizzell, Events Manager

Kelly Gaull, Brand Manager

Christina Choy, Communications Manager

Cristina Lazar, Controller

Fernanda Rodrigues, Operations & Membership Specialist

Kira Selah, Director, BC Food Hub Network

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03

Momentum Through Uncertainty.

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2025 was a year that tested our sector — and proved its resilience.

The threat of tariffs cast a long shadow over much of the year, creating real uncertainty for members.

For many of our members, it was a year of difficult decisions needing to be made in an unpredictable environment.

And yet, our sector kept moving forward. That says everything all of you!

For BCFB, 2025 was a year of real momentum. We welcomed a record 108 new members! We offered over 50 in-person and online events, and saw our Peer Groups continue to grow as members found trusted spaces to share challenges and support one another. Our signature events – Thrive, and Rise Awards – continued to shine as well. We also expanded Growth Hub, making more content available to members of all sizes. In a year defined by uncertainty, those connections and resources mattered more than ever.

Our advocacy deepened its impact too, including serving on the Trade and Economic Security (Tariff) Task Force and co-chairing the Premier’s Task Force on Agriculture and the Food Economy. BC’s food and beverage manufacturers deserve a strong, consistent voice at the table, and we will keep showing up.

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We were also excited to be selected to lead the development and management of the BC Food Hub Network, working with Food Hubs across the province to support entrepreneurs in their communities, a natural extension of what BCFB stands for.

None of this would be possible without the incredible dedication of our team, Alisa, Kelly, Sumner, Fernanda, Christina, Cristina, and Kira, along with the ongoing leadership of our Board of Directors. Thank you all.

The need for BC to have a strong, self-reliant food system has never been clearer. You play a vital role in not just feeding our province. Collectively, you are an economic engine for BC. We hope you enjoy our latest Community Report and look forward to sharing what’s next.

Sincerely, James Donaldson

04

Building Community.

TWICE THE GRIT: Sister team Nora Iliakis and Jenny Sior owners of Grandpa J’s Seasonings, enjoy a day of networking at the 2025 Thrive Conference.

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Member Impact.

175,448

Impact Score for 2025: 175,448 direct interactions and engagements with membership, through, inperson/online meetings, emails, events, social media, Cultivate Magazine and the Weekly Roundup.

KPI Scorecard.

108

74%

New Members - goal 92

Membership Retention - goal 78%

93%

1800

Event Sellout Rate - goal 98%

Growth Hub users - 95 certifications achieved

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BC FOOD & BEVERAGE | 11

INDUSTRY PASSION: Asha Wheeldon, Founder of KULA Foods on stage at the 2025 Thrive Conference.

Events.

2,000+ Attendees 350

325+

BCFB Awards Attendees

Thrive Conference attendees

50

42

Online and in person events hosted

Total supporting sponsors. Thank you to our sponsors we couldn’t do it without you!

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BC FOOD & BEVERAGE | 13

05

Looking Forward.

As BCFB looks ahead to 2026, the focus remains on strengthening BC’s food and beverage industry through leadership, building community, and advocacy with an eye towards growth; for our members, for the industry, and for the Association.

The launch of our second State of the Industry Report marks an important milestone, providing a clear picture of the opportunities and challenges facing BC manufacturers. In the year ahead, BCFB will use these insights to help shape priorities, inform advocacy efforts, and guide future programming.

We also wrapped up the Premier’s Task Force on Agriculture & the Food Economy, making 34 recommendations to support processing and agriculture in the province.

From our new format for Thrive, to our Rise Awards, to Peer Groups around BC, BCFB will continue bringing the industry together to share ideas, build connections, and celebrate the people and businesses driving the sector forward by offering over 50 in-person and virtual events this year. We also continued to build out our Ambassador Program, sending three rounds of curated packages filled with member-made BC products to 12 influencers with a combined audience of over 500k to showcase them and increase awareness of our association and members.

BCFB is continuing to expand our Growth Hub by offering new resources like our HR Toolkit and Export Guides for 15 countries.

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We’re excited about a lot of new offerings in 2026; all built around the needs of our members. This includes our upcoming Careers in Food campaign to highlight the diverse career opportunities available within the sector and supporting future workforce development.

We are launching the Local to Listed programs, to create meaningful connections with retailers. Our successful pilot in 2025 showed how valuable a forum like this can be.

BCFB was also selected for a multiyear contract to build and manage the BC Food Hub Network to support the sustainability of Food Hubs throughout BC. We are also proud to be co-hosting The Agriculture & Food Showcase at BC Business House, a business networking venue, putting a global spotlight on our industry during FIFA World Cup 2026.

As the voice of the industry, BCFB will advocate for policies and initiatives that support business growth, strengthen BC’s food system, and enhance industry competitiveness.

With exciting opportunities ahead, we look forward to continuing this work together in 2026.

A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION: Rise Awards, held in November 2025 celebrates the best of the best in the food and beverage industry.

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BC FOOD & BEVERAGE | 15

06

Directors.

Continuing Directors

Departing Directors

Azeem Ahamed, Project Mookie

Leo Wilson, KPMG

Kirk Homenick, Naturally Homegrown Foods

Jayson Columbus, Northam Beverages

Ivy Leong, Fresh Direct Produce Group Stephanie Sang, Granted Consulting Sherrin Western, Shervin Communications Ariel Laver, FASKEN Matthew Cimon, Bond Bakery Brands Courtney Lewis, Freybe Gourmet Foods Erik Silden, Rhema Health Products Ltd. Joel Gfeller, Cultivated Food Labs Danielle Pearson, Pacific Coast Fruit Products

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“I truly appreciate the work your organization does. It has been a great experience to be involved with the association, and I especially value that this membership is complemented by professional development and certification opportunities.”

Yulia Korolenko, Breaddy

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