Since purchasing its forever home in 2021, LUSH Valley Food Action Society has been rooted in Tin Town, expanding its food programs across the Comox Valley and beyond.
“In the last two and a half years, we have transformed our building into a community food hub with a large walk-in cooler and commercial kitchen,” said executive director Maurita Prato. “Though we have become experts at leveraging resources and improving our systems, we are rapidly running out of office, parking, storage and food-processing space on site.”
In April, the organization obtained an approved offer to purchase 2342A Rosewall Crescent - the residential suite above their ground-floor unit.
LUSH currently has a permit variance application into the City of Courtenay and plans to expand its food processing operations on the main floor, and eventually move its offices and program equipment upstairs.
To take possession of this unit, LUSH needs to secure $146,000. The non-profit seeks help from the community to raise $50,000 to $75,000 by June 17.
“We have a unique opportunity to own the entire building in Tin Town, but we have to act fast,” said Prato. “We know the June deadline creates a tight timeline, but we also know how supportive our community has been and continues to be.
“Expanding operations would position us to better meet the growing needs for the high-quality food services and food-related education we’re providing locally.”
LUSH Valley works with more than two dozen Comox Valley farms, 30 community organizations and 20 Comox Valley schools. Additional space will allow the organization to aggregate, process and distribute more healthy food to community members in need.
To help LUSH Valley, visit lushvalley.org/donate.