Zest Tenants

May was a milestone month for Zest and our local food community! We celebrated CarneBar’s Gold win at the From the Ground Up Trade Show, saw huge interest in ZoGood Snacks, and welcomed members to the Salmon Arm Farmers Market. Plus, we joined forces with BC Food & Beverage to bring you more growth opportunities. Read on for key insights from major retailers, new funding options, and how to book your next free 1-on-1 business consulting session.

In today’s tight Canadian market, scaling a food business feels like a tightrope walk. When sales dip, fixed costs like commercial rent and equipment loans become anchors that drag you down. The secret to surviving? Turning those anchors into flexible variable costs. Read how a Zest membership flips the script, de-risks your business, and gives you commercial kitchen power...without the crushing overhead.

As you walk up to the Celista Hall Farmers’ Market, the first thing you notice isn’t just the rows of colorful tents or the aroma of fresh food - it’s the feeling. Kids laughing, neighbors chatting, music drifting gently through the air. This isn’t just a market, it’s a gathering place rooted in community and care.

Anyone can cook Chinese cuisine, according to the owners of Will's Food Inc! CFIA certified, Will's Food Inc has expanded into international markets, all while keeping their Salmon Arm roots.

Jo McDermott, head granola-chef behind Gaia's Pantry tells her story from piano teacher to cereal master chef. Working with family, she stays accountable to her customers, her community, and her daughter.