The SSFPA Approach * Market Driven * Extensive Cooperation with Individuals

1. “We're Big on Small” “We're Big on Small” Incorporated March 2002 The SSFPA Approach * Market Driven * Extensive Cooperation with Individuals CompaniesOrganizations Government Bodies 1-866-54-SSFPA (77372) info@ssfpa.net www.ssfpa.net Mission The Mission of the SSFPA is to represent the interests of small-scale food and beverage processors Vision Creating Regional Food Sustainability Nelson Barsi – Co-Chair SSFPA Kika Joy – Co-Chair SSFPA

2. Annual General Meeting The Small scale Food Processor Association held its Annual General Meeting on March 31, 2007 in Abbotsford, BC. Some highlights of the meeting included: • Valerie Roddick, Member of Legislative Assembly, Delta South, and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Planning was in attendance at the AGM and the SSFPA members were offered the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion. • The Communications Plan for 2007 was presented by the SSFPA Communications committee • The progress of Local Flavours Products and Services Cooperative was presented • An overview of the SSFPA survey results was presented • Philip Watney, Program Manager for the Food Safety Implementation Grant Program presented the program to the members of SSFPA The Small Scale Food Processor Association New Board of Directors is as follows: Nelson Barsi Crista Thor Terry Ackerman Kika Joy Tricia Sedgewick Kathleen Buote Maureen Drew Trevor Kempthorne Don Wilde

3. The SSFPA has been active this year in pursuing activities of benefit to our members. The following outlines some of our ongoing projects: • BC Specialty Food Directory - A web based directory focussing on the food service and retail trades that lists BC specialty foods and beverages and how to access them. www.bcspecialtyfood.ca • Food Safety Initiative - this grant program was developed and administered by our Association and will provide up to 90% cost share to companies that are pursuing food safety system implementation in their processing facility. http://ssfpa.net/fsi/fsi.htm • BC Food & Bio Products Technology and Commercialization Centre – SSFPA is a member of the steering committee to ensure small scale processor needs are met. • CGSB Canadian General Standards Board - this board will be responsible for defining and implementing Canada’s organic standards. The CGSB requested SSFPA participation. • Provincial Territorial Federal Food Safety Committee – SSFPA is represented on this committee which provides strategic direction regarding national food safety initiatives. • BC Food Processors Association – we participate at board meetings, communicate SSFPA activities and collaborate on projects of benefit to our members to ensure that each organizations limited resources are maximized.

4. We have also formed a strategic alliance with Local Flavours Products and Services Cooperative. A BC Based initiative to develop a BC based standard for food processing and certification of quality in order to increase the consumption and marketing of BC grown and processed products. Part of the “Crew” Creston, BC March 10,2007

5. Are small-scale food processors (ssfp’s) important to the food industry? • Small Business is the backbone of the Economy for BC. 30% of the GDP of British Columbia comes from Small Businesses. 58% of all private sector jobs come from small business in British Columbia. Nationally 98% of all businesses are small businesses. National Statistics state that Small Scale Food Processing comprises 80.5% of industry establishments. • Innovationis an important factor in the food industry—ssfp’s are innovators—new products are important to the industry—the small processors of today are creating the exciting new products of the future. • Regionally Basedthe activity of ssfp’s shows that there is potential for and interest in food processing in all corners of BC. The diverse characteristics of each region influence the agricultural production which contributes to greater profitability for primary producers. Local products are of particular interest in the marketplace.

6. The SSFPA is a vibrant and growing organization • Our members are located throughout British Columbia. • Our members are local business people who support and expand local economies throughout the province. • Our members Hire Local People • Our members Create Local Jobs • Our members Contribute to Local Economies and Sustainability • Small to us means “Local” – local jobs, local infrastructure, local taxes. • Our members are committed individuals dedicated to expand their businesses. • Our members are well educated and informed, focused on infrastructure and resource development that will support small scale agri-food processing - “Small Scale” leads to “Large Scale” and greater economic contributions. • Our members are eager to see the next generation of agricultural policy because they are the ones who have the most at stake and they are the ones who have the infrastructure to facilitate the implementation of the policies.

7. Extensive Cooperation With: (partial list) • Vancity • The Co-operators • Canadian Food Inspection Agency • Health Canada • CORD Economic Development Corporation • South Fraser Community Futures • Creston Valley Agricultural Society • Community Futures Organizations • BC Farmers Market Association • BC Chef’s Association • Cooperative Secretariat • Alberta Food Processor Association • Island Farmers Alliance • CR Fair • BC Food Democracy Network • British Columbia Agri-Tourism Alliance • Women Farmers Institute • North Cowichan Agricultural Society • Agri-food Partners In Healthy Eating • Provincial/Territorial/Federal Food Safety Committee • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada • British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands • Investment Agricultural Foundation of BC • BC Chamber of Commerce • Economic Developers Association of BC • BC Food Processor Association • BC Food Protection Association • BC Food Technologists Association • BCIT / UBC – Food Information Services • Coast Capital Savings • Women's Enterprise Centre • BC Certified Organic Association • BC Cooperative Association • Western Economic Diversification • Fraser Basin Council • Farm Folk City Folk • First Nations Agricultural Lending Association • Aboriginal Agricultural Education Society of BC • CGSB Canadian General Standards Board • BC Food & Bio Products Technology and Commercialization Centre

8. “We're Big on Small” “We're Big on Small” Incorporated March 2002 The SSFPA Approach *Market-driven Extensive Cooperation with Individuals CompaniesOrganizations Government Bodies 1-866-54-SSFPA (77372) Info@ssfpa.net www.ssfpa.net Mission The Mission of the SSFPA is to represent the interests of small-scale food and beverage processors VISION Creating Regional Food Sustainability Kika Joy – Co-Chair SSFPA Nelson Barsi – Co-Chair SSFPA