Who We Are
Groundbreakers is a small but strong and growing organization based in Smithers B.C. located in the region of the Bulkley Valley. This is a vibrant and resourceful area of Northwest B.C. with a mix of rural living and small communities that thrive with the potential for great sustainability and self-sufficiency. Groundbreakers’ mission is to help develop the region’s agricultural economy along with healthy and sustainable lifestyles focused on local foods. At the core of Groundbreakers’ current programs is the objective of having more people, particularly children, be engaged in growing food and experiencing local agriculture and wild foods. We believe Local Food can be the new normal.
We are a team of VOLUNTEERS who are gardeners and builders working to maintain productive school gardens. We are COOKS and TEACHERS bringing lessons, life skills, and good healthy local food to students. We are FACILITATORS collaborating with local food producers, community groups, teachers, and school administrators to help make growing food an accessible and enjoyable part of life. We are ADVOCATES of local food activism.
Groundbreakers' goal is to help develop food producing gardens in each school yard across the region. We are currently active in delivering programming and supporting gardens at Muheim and Walnut Park Elementary schools in Smithers, and Telkwa Elementary.
We work with local producers to provide local foods like eggs, beef, honey, pea shoots, and other vegetables in the school lunch and breakfast programs and to help us educate our children in where food comes from.
Get Involved! Groundbreakers has Members! Contact us today to Join!
1) Join us at an Annual General Meeting for not only a tasty local food lunch but also to share your ideas and discover how your talents can boost the local food movement. A growing membership helps develop groundbreaking and grassroot ideas for making the production and eating of local food the new normal.
2) Do you have or know of an idea for a project or program to support local food and agriculture in NorthWest B.C.?! Groundbreakers is here to help make it happen. We are ready to apply for funds to make your local food and agriculture ideas a reality.
3) Share your garden or food preserving knowledge with the community, host food inspirational movie nights, help kids explore and tend to school gardens, build garden beds, lead wild food walks, … you name it and we can help make it happen!
4) DONATE to help keep our programs running and start new ones. Groundbreakers is a registered charity offering tax deductible receipts.