Investing in a community impact project that feeds Creston.
For years, the building at 401 Payne Street, the Kootenay Farms Food Hub & Innovation Centre, has quietly been a cornerstone of Creston’s local food system. Within its walls, food entrepreneurs have taken their first steps, farmers have brought their harvests to market, and community food programs have grown to meet real needs. It is a place of innovation, collaboration, and care.
Today, this vital community asset is at risk.
Fields Forward Society and the Creston Valley Food Action Coalition (CVFAC) have a rare opportunity to purchase the building and its surrounding three acres of land, but only if we can raise the required capital by April 31, 2026. If we are unable to do so, the property will be sold to another buyer, putting the future of this shared food hub and the programs it supports in jeopardy.
This campaign is about more than ownership. It is about protecting what the community has built together and ensuring it continues to serve Creston for generations to come.
A Legacy Project with Lasting Community Impact
Since its inception in 2021, the Kootenay Farms Food Hub has provided a permanent home for both Fields Forward Society and CVFAC.
The Food Hub supports local food innovation through shared infrastructure, including:
-
A commercial kitchen
-
Food processing facilities
-
Cold and dry storage
These shared resources lower barriers to entry for local producers, processors, and start-ups, strengthening the regional food economy and keeping food dollars circulating locally.
At the same time, CVFAC operates community food programs from this space, coordinating initiatives that improve food access, resilience, and food security across the Creston Valley.
Together, these organizations have transformed 401 Payne Street into a shared community resource, one that reflects Creston’s values of cooperation, self-reliance, and mutual support.
Programs Rooted at the Kootenay Farms Food Hub
Harvest Share
Community food recovery, access and distribution program
Creston Valley Farmers Market
Supporting local producers and consumers
Local Lunch Box
Supporting school food programs
Community Garden Project
Launched in 2025, expanding in 2026
Hydroponic Vertical Farming Unit
Launching in 2026 to increase year-round food
Without secure access to this building, these initiatives and the people they serve remain vulnerable.
The Opportunity Before Us
-
Total purchase price: $1,050,000
-
Funds needed by April 31, 2026: $450,000
This initial fundraising goal will secure the down payment and enable Fields Forward to obtain long-term financing.
Fields Forward plans to complete the purchase through a combination of community and philanthropic fundraising, grants and lead gifts, and private loans and community investment co-op financing.
To support this effort, Fields Forward has partnered with FarmFolk CityFolk Society, a registered Canadian charity. All eligible donations made through this campaign can receive an official charitable tax receipt, allowing donors to maximize the impact of their contribution while investing in Creston’s food future.
This capital campaign focuses first on securing the down payment to ensure the building remains in community hands. Continued fundraising beyond April 2026 will reduce long-term debt and strengthen the financial sustainability of the organizations that call 401 Payne Street home.
