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Over $1 million paid to producers for Local
After over four years of supporting small-scale farms and food producers, Wildsight Elk Valley’s social enterprise food store, Local, continues to grow.
The Fernie storefront was founded to increase year-round local food access, connecting producers with the community and strengthening the local food system. A variety of locally-sourced products are available in the store, from eggs, vegetables, and meat, to fresh bread, honey, snacks, and prepared meals.
Wildsight Elk Valley has released Local’s fourth Annual Impact Report, highlighting the store’s successes and milestones of 2024. Local has now paid over $1.12 million to small-scale farms and food producers since opening its doors in 2020, over 40% of which has stayed in the Elk Valley.
As supporting the Canadian food economy became ever more important, community members voted with their feet, with over 1,000 customers per month served in the 2nd Avenue store in the last year.
The Feed the Need community fundraiser also continued to grow in 2024, raising over $7,200. Donations to Feed the Need provide Local store gift cards to low-income households in the Elk Valley, in partnership with the Fernie Women’s Resource Centre.
“Feed the Need is making a real difference in our community,” said Layne Leskosek, Outreach and SAS Coordinator for the Fernie Women’s Resource Centre.
“The joy and relief we see in participants when they pick up their cards – this program is about more than food—it’s about supporting dignity, well-being, and community resilience.”
Donations to Feed the Need can be made at the till at Local, or online. Tax receipts are available.
Wildsight Elk Valley would like to thank all of their dedicated volunteers, vendors, Feed the Need donors, and customers, who support the store with their time and attention, patronage, donations, and passion for their local food system.
Wildsight Elk Valley aims to cultivate a thriving, knowledgeable, and resilient local food culture in the Elk Valley through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
