Our Organic Community Garden, established in 2017 and continually supported through the +Fresh Gardens & Growing Fund!
The garden is situated on a private piece of property in Cherryville, BC where the owner’s plant, oversee and manage the garden. In 2018 a second area was initiated to double the size of the garden which yielded 1545 lbs of organic produce! We were able to offer fresh, organic produce every week for the entire growing season. More than 20 families, 65 people, were influenced by the organic garden in 2018. Planters with pre-planted lettuce, strawberries and herbs were also provided to recipients of the Cherryville Food Bank. This allowed households to grow a portion of their own food, it was highly successful with lots of positive feedback from those who received them.
In 2019, our garden produced 1963 lbs of organic produce which again went right back into the hands of our community members! Cannot wait to see what happens in 2020!
In October 2025, Cherryville Community Food and Resource Society was unexpectedly acknowledged in the house by MLA Steve Morissette. An incredibly beautiful tribute, CCFRS was recognized for the dedication and growing impact the organization has on the Cherryville community. Check out the post and video below.
A place where practical support meets genuine kindness. There’s a free income tax clinic, food security programs and help with everything from benefits to advanced care planning.
But what makes the Cherryville Resource Centre so special is that it’s not just about services; it’s about belonging. For seniors, that sense of belonging comes through in the seniors services and compassionate communities program. For those living with disabilities, Cherryville’s outreach team helps navigate the often complicated process of applying for supports.
Of course, the Cherryville Resource Centre is investing in the future of the community through its youth and family programs. They invite the community to get involved, to volunteer, to donate or collaborate. The result is a web of support that’s as strong as it is caring.
Behind all of this are the people, the staff, the volunteers and neighbours who make Cherryville shine. They are the beating heart of Cherryville’s commitment to taking care of one another.
To everyone at the Cherryville Resource Centre, the Cherryville Community Food and Resource Society and the board of directors, thank you. Thank you for showing us what’s possible when we put people first. Your work reminds us that rural doesn’t mean remote. It means resilient. And Cherryville proves that when we invest in community, we build a stronger, kinder British Columbia for everyone.
In 2016 we teamed up with Lake Country Food Bank and established the “Network of Sharing” in which we have connected nine different food banks that we can distribute food to when we receive large quantities of food. This reduces food waste entering our landfills, a national issue that has major environmental effects, as well as puts more food directly into the hands of community members, programs, activities, and events. Inspired by this partnership, we reached out to collaborate with Nakusp Food Bank who supports five rural communities between us. With safe transport of perishable items being the largest obstacle, we successfully sought and secured funding through Food Banks BC to purchase a refrigerated truck. We are now delivering fresh vegetables, fruits, breads, dairy products, and any other food/household goods we receive in excess that they are willing and able to accept. Extending this network of sharing concept into the Kootenay region has proven to be a positive impact for all communities involved as well as reducing the environmental impact of excessive waste entering our landfills. Our commitment to this social cause has resulted in this expansion of our food bank services, directly contributing to our mission of promoting healthy living and food security while reducing waste.
This program is funded by Interior Health through the Community Food Action Initiative grant.
