Media Release

VCC collaborates to increase B.C. food on campus

Vancouver Community College (VCC) is proud to announce a new collaboration with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training to bring more locally produced food to our campuses.

Feed BC is a provincial government initiative to encourage, inspire, and support a shift to more B.C. food in hospitals, residential care facilities, public post-secondary institutions, and other government-supported facilities.

As part of this collaboration, VCC joins eight other post-secondary partners who have committed to grow B.C. food purchases to reach at least 30 per cent of total campus food expenditures. 

“By emphasizing B.C. foods on campus, public post-secondary institutions are supporting campus sustainability goals and their students’ interests in local food options while also supporting farmers, fishers, food processors, and communities throughout the province,” says Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training.

As part of education delivery, VCC actively seeks out locally sourced food for educational purposes whenever possible and is working towards new opportunities with local producers. Considering VCC’s extensive culinary arts program, numerous food service outlets, and popular cafeterias, this initiative presents a great opportunity for the college to support B.C. agriculture and enhance B.C.’s food security and the sustainability of regional economies.

Did you know?

• Food service purchases for all post-secondary institutions in B.C. is estimated at $40.9 million annually.

Related:

• Building opportunities for B.C. food with post-secondary partners (B.C. government release)
• Feed BC in post-secondary institutions
• Bees, flowers, and sustainable fashion blossom at VCC
• VCC achieves $3 million in energy cost avoidance