Love Local. Love Good Food
The Squamish Chamber operates on the unceded lands of the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw). We are grateful to work, live and play on their territory.
Bringing Good Food Values and Local Flavours to the Squamish Food Scene
More than just an abundant place to live, Squamish is where passionate entrepreneurs and local ingredients come to life. Our community is filled with creative bakers and innovative makers of consumables that are made possible by a local network of like-minded folk. From syrup infused with fruits from BC farmers to delectable ice cream made from seasonal berries and herbs of the Sea the Sky, there’s something for everyone to delight in.
As we enjoy the fruits of these labors, our support of these independent businesses contributes to the wider adoption of local procurement and development of supporting infrastructure, resulting in a healthier community and environment.
Check out these diverse product offerings created by local visionaries and read about Squamish Climate Action Network’s Good Food Program.
Frostbites Syrup
Thirteen years ago, Frostbites Syrup Co was born out of the Squamish Farmers Market as an all natural shave ice stand, with only the desire to connect with their community, local farmers and to bring smiles to kids of all ages. Through the encouragement of the local community, the rise of distilleries, and the popularity of home carbonating devices, they started bottling their all natural syrups so people could bring Frostbites syrups into their homes.
“Supporting local is 100% our mission. From a business standpoint, we seek out other Squamish businesses to collaborate with, support and nurture.” explains owner Peggy Speir. During COVID Frostbites built out a production space that doubles as a licensed commissary kitchen for other small scale food producers to get started and scale up.
Advocates for the betterment of children’s quality of life, you will often find Frostbites raising money for playground upgrades in our community. They cite the fierce independant spirit, innovation and creativity that Squamish oozes as a consistent source of isnpiration.
"Frostbites Syrup Co is only here because of the support and encouragement from community members. We are forever humbled and grateful to past + present community members"
Shop in-person at Squamish Farmers Market. Order direct at: Frostbites Syrup
Stay Social via IG: Frostbites Syrup FB: Frostbites Syrup
Tag #frostbitesfunkids #frostbitesfunrecipes
Tall Tree Bakery
Tall Tree Bakery combines the passion and energy of baking with a desire to use only the best ingredients for their products. It was in a small European bakery that their passion and adventure began, whilst their journey has continued to the Sea to Sky their desire to support local has remained.
They produce high-quality artisan breads and pastries from scratch, baked fresh each morning, while maintaining a clean label of ingredients. Doing business in Squamish over the past six years has always meant bringing the community together over delicious baked goods.
Annually they give back to local schools, Pride Squamish, the Sounding Room, and Bike to Work Week, just to name a few. Whilst all unsold bread gets donated to the Squamish Food Bank. Owner Erin is truly inspired by the Squamish business community:
“Being supported by the community means everything to us. It means we can pay very healthy wages and provide meaningful benefits to our staff while providing them with a work environment that exudes community spirit.”
Support the Baker: Order Online: Tall Tree Bakery
IG: Tall Tree Bakery FB: Tall Tree Bakery
Alice and Brohm
Katie and Matt started Alice + Brohm Ice Cream out of a desire to create community and memories while supporting local producers and providing a unique customer experience.
Aiming to create an ice cream that just hits different, they offer real fruit ice cream, using local BC ingredients. Their dairy ice cream comes from Abbotsford, coconut base from Vancouver and they keep their berry purchasing as local as possible.
Founder Katie believes that keeping things close to home makes the journey more enjoyable and is always on the lookout for ways to give back and support the local community.
“One of the most important things about our business is knowing and understanding our community and how we can support them. For us, this means getting out in the local community, being part of community events, and supporting local fundraisers.” Katie Youwe
Alice and Brohm are all about creating ice cream flavours that highlight what other great local businesses offer. The Flat White ice cream is made with espresso from Counterpart Coffee and they work with other establishments such as Sunflower Bakery, Solfeggio Foods, Nutrient Dense Farm, Grateful Gift Shop and more throughout the year.
Visit the swirl shops: Garibaldi Store and Downtown Squamish
New Flavour Updates via IG: Alice and Brohm FB: Alice and Brohm
Squamish Climate Action Network
Squamish CAN strives to educate, support, and empower the community of Squamish by developing, promoting, and implementing sustainable strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. One of their focus areas is food systems where their goal is to ensure that all members of Squamish have access to enough nutritious, safe, ecologically sustainable and culturally appropriate food.
Sustainable Food Systems Manager, Gaby Barnes, tells us “We want to celebrate the abundance of food grown and eaten in the Sea to Sky corridor and find ways to bring more local food onto the table. How and where procurement dollars are spent can have important economic, employment, social, and environmental impacts.”
“A lot of work is made possible by the generous donations of local businesses and an extensive volunteer network. Our work is community-driven and aims to establish a resilient and liveable community for all. ”
Their Good Food Program aims to shift the buying power of the food industry in the Sea to Sky Region towards procuring more local food based on good food values. The Squamish Food Policy Council are working to support food purchasers to procure more locally grown food and address the barriers to accessing local food in the region.
Are you a Food Buyer or Producer? Stay in the loop for more information about an upcoming workshop this fall on Strengthening our Local Food Purchasing by emailing gaby@squamishcan.net.
How can you procure local food?
Celebrate the abundance of food grown and eaten in the Sea to Sky corridor and find ways to bring more local food onto the table. Tips from the Good Food Infographic.
1) Review Contracts and include an 80/20 local rule.
2) Budget for Local food wins, and remain open to seasonable ingredients.
3) Commit to local food, share your story and sign the good food pledge!
Get in the Food Loop.
Do you work in the private or public food sector? Join the Good Food Gathering Workshop series to be a part of a growing food culture in the corridor and help shape the way food ends up on our plates.
Contact Gaby Barnes, Sustainable Food Systems Manager to learn more. Questions? gaby@squamishcan.net