B.C. creates food security task force

The group will include primary producers, processors, and other stakeholders

B.C. Premier David Eby’s government launched a new task force to address food security in the province amid ongoing tariff threats from the U.S.

The group brings together 15 people from across B.C.’s ag and food sectors, says Lana Popham, the province’s minister of agriculture and food.

“By including the voices of farmers, processors, retailers and distributors in this task force, we are including expertise from farm to table in building a resilient and sustainable food system that is competitive and strengthens B.C.’s economy and food supply,” she said in a statement.

The task force’s responsibilities include supporting the growth and competitiveness of B.C. products and securing affordable food regardless of what happens with the United States.

The task force’s members are:

Co-chairs:

• Danielle Synotte, executive director, BC Agriculture Council
• James Donaldson, CEO, BC Food & Beverage
• Michelle Koski, deputy minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Primary producers:

• Jennifer Woike, president, BC Agriculture; president/owner, Farmer Ben’s Eggs
• Annelise Grube-Cavers, co-owner, Fresh Valley Farms
• Nav Bains, vice-president of operations, marketing and procurement, Westberry Farms
• Chris Bodnar, assistant professor at University of the Fraser Valley; co-owner, Close to Home Organic

Processors:

• Angela Doro, president, Freybe Gourmet Foods
• Jasmine Byrne, COO, Big Mountain Foods
• James Pratt, CEO, Rhema Health Products

Seafood:

• Larry Johnson, president, Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood
• Steve Pocock, owner, Sawmill Bay Oysters

Retail:

• Jamie Nelson, president, Pattison Food Group (effective March 1, 2025)

Distribution:

• Cameron Bowles, vice-president of national sales, Sysco

Thought leadership:

• Rory McAlpine, chair, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute; retired as senior vice-president, Maple Leaf Foods

Tariffs on B.C. could have significant effects on the province.

A preliminary study in January 2025 concluded that a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports could see B.C. lose up to $69 billion between 2025 and 2028.

That study didn’t identify how ag would be affected specifically.