Local and regional stakeholders have been working to bring Whistler’s food system closer to home with a shift in emphasis to healthier food choices and regional or local production to improve food security and quality, as well as community sustainability.

With a focus on integrating the agricultural history, production capacity and local knowledge of the neighbouring communities of Mount Currie, Pemberton and Squamish, and Whistler’s internationally recognized food service industry, food policy is moving towards a greater coordinated, collaborative regional effort to create stronger bonds among food producers, retailers and consumers.

Whistler residents are increasingly aware of and interested in local, healthy food choices, as demonstrated by the growth of Community Supported Agriculture food boxes, the popularity of the community greenhouses and the ever-increasing success of the Whistler Farmers’ Market. In general, Whistler residents are satisfied with food services (grocery stores and restaurants), although satisfaction with grocery stores is slightly lower than with restaurants. A number of Whistler restaurants are internationally recognized for their organic offerings, as well as local procurement and food production. There is a tremendous demand by visitors for local food, which currently exceeds supply.

Food is more expensive to purchase in Whistler than in the region, resulting in food purchases at larger stores in Squamish or Vancouver, and there is limited food production on private property due to the potential of human-bear conflicts and our limited growing season. Wages in the food services industry are lower than average, making it difficult for some sector employees living in Whistler to make a living wage.

The protection of suitable farmland throughout the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is necessary for the long-term sustainability of the community and food security of residents in the Sea to Sky corridor. To that end, the SLRD has detailed policies in the SLRD Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) for the protection of farmland and the support of food production. All areas in the SLRD are on their way to completing an Agriculture Land Use Assessment, Agriculture Area Plan, Food Strategy or other food-related plan.

Currently, food waste is the largest component of the SLRD landfilled waste by weight, accounting for 43 per cent of the total waste sent to landfill. The municipality operates a municipal compost facility and is also serviced by a commercial composting facility in the Sea to Sky area.