Local Store

 

We Are Local

Fernie imports 100% of its commercially available food and is particularly vulnerable to food unsustainability due to our geographic location, cold climate food production challenges, and lack of regional food policy. The demand for local is taking off, but the supply of locally produced food and other more sustainably sourced household staples is still a challenge for conventional chain stores. This leaves small local producers without an easy and reliable way to sell their products.

Wildsight aims to develop change through the development of a low-barrier model of food access that supports local farmers and sustainable producers to get their product to market, building on the work already done through Mountain Market over the last 19 years. We aim to cultivate a thriving, knowledgeable, and resilient local food culture by reducing the length of the supply chain. 

Our core goal is to increase year-round access to reliable local and more sustainable alternatives to imported industrially grown food through the support of local farmers and producers. This builds on the work of the Mountain Market and grows on the summer-only offering to year-round access. 

Local aims to:

  • Bring local people and local and more sustainable products together
  • Provide access to local food via a physical and online retail store
  • Connect Elk Valley residents and visitors with year-round access to local food
  • Promote and foster a local food culture within the Elk Valley
  • Provide a low-barrier entry for local producers

Local is a social enterprise of Wildsight Elk Valley branch and the Mountain Market. Wildsight Elk Valley is a not-for-profit based in  Fernie, BC that aims to protect plant and animal biodiversity and create sustainable communities in the Southern Rockies region of British Columbia.

Our aim is to cultivate a thriving, knowledgeable, and resilient local food culture in the Elk Valley through education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Local provides a framework for farmers and local food producers to sell their products and customers to access local food. Local farmers and food producers will sell products online and in-store, delivering products regularly to fulfill orders. Local will offer:

  • Storefront – Retail location in downtown Fernie selling local food
  • Online Market – Website and online payment system
  • Distribution Hub – Fulfillment of online local food orders for customer and restaurants

 

Where is Local?

  • Our retail location is at 632 2nd Ave 
  • Join the Fresh Picks Club to support Local and gain special access

 

How can I get the latest Local updates?

 

2020 Local Start-Up – Dawn Deydey, Graham Preston, Robyn Peel, Casey Brennan
2021 Local 1st Anniversary – Dawn Deydey, Casey Brennan, Graham Preston, Sarah Jane McDonald, Jennifer Lennon, Mary Cosman, Robyn Peel

 

Learn more about Local

 

In partnership with…

 

Elk Valley News

Position: Lead Grower - Evergreens Deadline to apply: Apr 30th, 2023 Compensation: $20/hour Scope: Part-time - 20 hours/week Target Start Date: Summer/Fall 2023…Read More 
A remarkable, research-driven project is underway in the Elk Valley right now to help protect vulnerable species. Home to iconic, wide-ranging animals like…Read More 
Position: Local Retail Coordinator & Branch Admin Assistant Deadline to apply: Sept 16th, 2022 Compensation: $18-20/hour Scope: 25 hours/week Target Start Date…Read More 
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Upcoming Elk Valley Events

Backyard old growth tours

June 10 - June 25, 2023

From fire-scarred ponderosa pine-bunchgrass to towering larch, subalpine spruce to cedar hemlock rainforest, the Columbia Basin…

View All Events

Our Elk Valley branch focus

Join The Team

Want to protect wildlife, clean water and wild spaces? Volunteer with us! Wildsight volunteers are a very special group of people who give generously of their time to stuff envelopes, attend rallies, help run events, put up posters, keep tabs on forestry practices in their communities and participate in citizen science initiatives.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Branch Information

Contact

632 2nd Ave
PO Box 537,
Fernie, BC V0B 1M0
Phone: 250.423.3322
elkvalley@wildsight.ca