Community Report
Making an Impact.
"BC Food and Beverage has been an extremely valuable resource for our team. Their webinars are not only informative and engaging but also provide us with the latest insights, trends, and methods to further improve our skills. Their events offer fantastic networking opportunities, allowing us to connect with likeminded professionals and expand our knowledge base. We’re grateful for the community they’ve built and the continuous support they provide to businesses like ours."
Jason Griffin Sales Manager (North America),
Dr. Bee
Never a Dull Moment.
Dear Members,
I hope this message finds you all in good spirits and sunny weather. It’s with great pleasure that we present the operating results and organizational developments for your Association for FY23. This past year has been an exciting and inspiring year for BCFB. Our management team’s dedication and hard work have enabled us to build a growth community for our stakeholders, and a strong voice for industry in the province of British Columbia.
First and foremost, I want to extend a warm welcome to all our new members. Your presence enriches our Association, and we’re thrilled to have you join our community. To our long-standing members, thank you for your continued support and commitment. It’s your passion and dedication that keeps this industry vibrant and thriving.
As we head into our 20th year, I can’t help but reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve been on together. Under the steadfast leadership of our CEO, James Donaldson, and his stellar team, BC Food & Beverage has been a beacon of support for our membership. From providing invaluable resources to advocating for our collective interests, they’ve been instrumental in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of our industry.
Of course, it’s no secret that we face our fair share of challenges. From rising input costs to supply chain disruptions to shifting consumer preferences to regulatory hurdles, there’s never a dull moment in the world of food and beverage. But it’s precisely these challenges that fuel our innovation and resilience, and necessitate the need for organizations like BC Food & Beverage to speak up for all of us. Together, we’ll continue to adapt, grow, and carve out a path forward.
In the coming months, I’m eager to work with our Board of Directors to hear their many insights, and exploring ways we can further enhance the support and opportunities available to each and every member – and the industry at large.
So, here’s to the journey ahead—to the collaborations, the breakthroughs, and the shared moments of success. Together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.
Warm regards,
Kirk Homenick
About Us.
BC Food & Beverage is a not-for-profit industry association representing food and beverage manufacturers in British Columbia, whose membership represents approximately $8 billion in industry revenues.
We lead, inspire and support, and we never stop moving forward.
The team.
James Donaldson, CEO
Christina Choy, Community Manager
Alisa Hutton, COO
Fernanda Rodrigues, Project Coordinator
Sumner Frizzell, Event & Program Specialist
Candice Kincaid, Membership Manager
Kelly Gaull, Brand Manager
Sunny Choung, Accounting & Admin Manager
Measuring for Success.
Dear BC Food & Beverage Members,
The quote “You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” was made famous by business management expert Peter Drucker, and held an important meaning to BC Food & Beverage as part of our new Strategic Plan we initiated in 2023.
BCFB is guided by our Strategic Plan, which serves as the compass directing our focus. As part of our new plan, we developed and implemented a new Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Scorecard, designed to gauge our performance and more importantly measure our impact to members. This Scorecard not only measures our progression and member engagement but speaks to the Association’s evolution by reflecting how we make a measurable difference in our industry community.
Perhaps the most significant measure of our success lies in our new Member Impact metric. Beyond the numbers, it is the lives we touch and the positive change we affect that truly define BCFB. Whether it’s supporting local business, empowering entrepreneurs, or helping our members overcome obstacles, our impact extends far beyond the Association. More on that in this report!
As we reflect on the journey of BCFB over the past year, I am thrilled to share with you the strides we have made in fostering growth, amplifying engagement, and, most significantly, enhancing our impact. None of this would be possible without an engaged Board of Directors, who were instrumental in developing a strong vision for the Association.
The Association’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable, which we hope reflects the value we bring to our members and the industry at large – something we work on strengthening each day. The BCFB team has been truly incredible in their desire to move the Association and its impact forward, and any success we have is due to their efforts, and their dedication cannot be understated. Our signature events Foodpro23 and our BCFB Awards were both huge successes and set the standard for industry events in Canada, but we had dozens of smaller and virtual events as well to make sure the community stays connected.
I am excited about our strengthened commitment to advocacy, which is a core part of our Strategic Plan. We’ve championed the interests of the industry, advocating on several key issues, and embarked on a State of the Industry Report and an industry Labour Strategy,
both initiated in 2023 and to be released in 2024. These efforts are an important part of our mandate to be the voice of the industry in British Columbia, ensuring that industry concerns are heard and addressed at all levels of government.
In addition to our advocacy work, we’ve undertaken several major projects aimed at driving industry-wide progress. From fostering innovation and sustainability to promoting workforce development and market access, these projects underscore our unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of our members and the industry.
Our Community Report is always a great opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to always improve through a relentless pursuit of our vision. Together, we will chart a course towards a brighter future for the food and beverage manufacturing industry in British Columbia.
Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication.
Warm regards,
James Donaldson
Building Community.
135,076
Impact Score for 2023: 135,076 direct interactions and engagements with membership, through, inperson/online meetings, emails, events, social media, Cultivate Magazine and the launch of the new Weekly Roundup.
68
60
400 attendees joined in celebrating the leaders, rising stars, and innovative products and companies that make up the BC Food & Beverage industry at the BCFB Awards, October 11, 2023.
Projects and Collaborations.
1780
Impressions - Digital Cultivate Magazine
11
Major programs & projects
Affordability & Innovation Fund, Repurpose Incubator, Food Processing Growth Fund, Meat Inspection Program (MISP), Production Worker Training Program (2x), FCI Canada, Plant-based Co-packing project, Sustainability Capstone Project, Labour Market Study, BC State of the Industry Report, Buy BC Media campaign for members.
1587
400
BCFB Awards Attendees
43 Online and in person event hosted
400+
Foodpro attendees
41
Total supporting sponsors. Thank you to our sponsors we couldn’t do it without you!
Helen Keller
Voice of Industry.
In the past year, BC Food & Beverage has continued its commitment to advocating for the food and beverage industry in BC, dedicating over 640 hours to government relations and advocacy work. This includes dozens of meetings with provincial and federal government officials, as well as 19 meetings with elected officials, as we continue to highlight industry challenges and opportunities, and advancing policy recommendations that support sustainable growth and competitiveness.
BCFB initiated its inaugural State of the Industry Report for BC, being released in 2024. This comprehensive report provides valuable insights into the financial performance and challenges facing our members and includes a number of recommendations to help make our industry more competitive. We also launched a comprehensive Labour Market Study that will be released later in 2024.
One of the key initiatives undertaken by BCFB was the launch of the Executive Roundtable. This platform facilitates strategic discussions among industry leaders and addressing critical issues facing the sector.
BCFB has been a vocal advocate for the implementation of a Retail Code of Conduct to help level the playing field between suppliers and Canadian retailers. BCFB has advocated for more protection for small business to large Canadian retailers in the Code.
By advocating for regulatory reforms, shaping policy frameworks, and fostering industry dialogue, BCFB continues to provide a voice for our industry through working with our members.
“I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering support and assistance you provided during our facility move. I am thrilled to share that the overall move weekend concluded successfully with Coastal Health’s support. Your guidance and contributions played a pivotal role in ensuring that we not only overcame the obstacles but also achieved a great and positive working relationship. ”
Craig Sheridan CEO & Founder, Legend’s Haul
Photo: Legends Haul Team
Looking Forward.
With a busy 2023 in the rear view, 2024 will not only be BCFB’s biggest and best year, but our 20th Anniversary! 2024 will see the launch of a new BCFB website that will make engagement, information, and registration easier than ever. We’ll also be moving to a larger office space in Burnaby in the Summer of 2024 that will allow us to host events, peer groups, training and other meetings as we continue to build community.
Speaking of Peer Groups, we’re excited to be introducing a Founders and Women in Food & Beverage Peer Groups and have a great lineup of Co-chairs to lead the discussion. To add more opportunities to connect, we’re also introducing Member Meet ups in Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan this year.
BCFB is also embarking on some exciting new projects that we’ll be sharing more later in 2024, when we’ll be launching the Growth Hub by BC Food & Beverage. The Growth Hub is for BC food and beverage companies of all sizes and career stages to ignite their success, receiving unparalleled support and an elevated growth journey.
Stay tuned for more!
Directors.
Departing Directors
Len Spencer, Direct Plus Food Group
Lyndsay Scott, Kindred Cultures
Nicky Shaw, Daiya Foods
Continuing Directors
Kirk Homenick, Naturally Homegrown Foods
Jasmine Byrne, Big Mountain Foods
Pamela Ambriz, Vitalus Nutrition
Leo Wilson, KPMG
Steve MacIntyre, Fine Choice Foods
Azeem Ahamed, Elias Honey
Stephanie Sang, Granted Consulting
Lachlan Whatley, Apex Food Source
Sherrin Western, Shervin Communications
Ariel Laver, FASKEN
“As the founder of a new food brand, I feel so grateful to be a member of BCFB. They have been a tremendous resource and source of connection and insight into the various components of being in this industry.”
Karlene Karst Founder, Verily Kitchen