Huu-ay-aht First Nations is launching a community-owned hydroponic farming business in Anacla to provide year-round access to fresh, healthy, and locally grown food while strengthening food sovereignty and economic resilience.
The project includes the installation of a modular farming facility equipped with production, preparation, and cold storage space. Using hydroponic growing methods, the farm will be capable of producing up to 10,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, ensuring a consistent and reliable local food supply.
Currently, community members face limited access to fresh food, often travelling approximately 174 kilometres round trip to Port Alberni for groceries. Rising food costs and supply challenges further impact affordability and availability. This project addresses these barriers by establishing a local, sustainable food source that reduces reliance on external supply chains.
The initiative will also introduce a direct-to-consumer subscription program, delivering fresh produce to community members on a weekly, year-round basis. In addition, the farm will partner with Bamfield Community School to support the provision of healthy school meals.
The Trust is investing in this project through the Capital and Innovation funding program under the Food Security and Agrifood priority area.
Wellbeing Impact
The Trust invests in projects using a Wellbeing Impact Framework that looks beyond traditional economic metrics. This approach evaluates how each investment strengthens economic prosperity, cultural vitality, climate resilience, and social empowerment. By focusing on outcomes that matter to people and place, the Trust works to spur new investments that create meaningful, lasting benefits across Vancouver Island and the coast.
The hydroponic farm will significantly improve access to nutritious food within the community while creating local employment opportunities, supporting skills development, and strengthening overall wellbeing and resilience.
Economic Prosperity
This project strengthens the local economy by enabling:
Social Empowerment
The project supports social empowerment through:
Climate Resiliency
The project contributes to climate resiliency by:
Cultural Vitality
The project contributes to climate resiliency by:
As we work toward inclusive and resilient economic futures, we do so with a deep appreciation for the histories, contributions, and rights of the Kwak̓wala/Bakwam’kala, Nuučaa̓nuɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Skwxwú7mesh, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
