For Immediate Release
December 2, 2025

BC Ferries joins forces with provincial government to bring the best of BC on board

VICTORIA, BC - BC Ferries is partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food through the Feed BC and Buy BC programs to strengthen local food systems and showcase BC grown and processed foods in its onboard menus and retail outlets. The partnership complements BC Ferries’ existing “Best of BC” retail collection – which features a wide range of locally made gifts, art and products – by expanding how BC-based food and beverage suppliers are showcased onboard.

“Experiencing local flavours is a great part of the sailing experience,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “It’s fantastic that BC Ferries will be offering more BC -made and grown products for passengers to enjoy.”

The partnership supports provincial goals to increase the use of BC grown and processed foods, whilst also enhancing the onboard dining and shopping experience for customers.

Through this partnership, BC Ferries is continuing its commitment to local sourcing. Currently, more than 60% of the food served onboard is produced or processed in BC, with that figure rising during the summer months when more local produce is available. The partnership also creates new opportunities to feature even more BC-made foods across its food and retail outlets.

Feed BC and Buy BC branding will be added to signage to help customers easily identify local food items, while the “Best of BC” collection will continue to highlight BC-made gifts and other non food-based products in Passages retail outlets. BC Ferries will also share stories from BC suppliers and spotlight products to raise awareness of the range of BC items available on board year-round.

“December is one of our busiest months for onboard shopping,” said Melanie Lucia, Vice President of Customer Experience at BC Ferries. “We know we play an important role in connecting families and communities across the coast during the holidays — and we also know it’s a busy time for travellers. Shopping on board has become part of the journey, and our Passages shops are filled with fabulous BC-made gifts that make it easy to support local while you sail. With locally sourced foods on our menus and the best views in BC from every seat, we invite customers to relax, enjoy a bite, and discover the best of what our province has to offer.”

Around 90% of BC Ferries’ overall spending on materials, supplies and services already supports Canadian businesses, including Canadian-based distributors that supply both domestic and international brands. Passages retail outlets also feature many local brands, and this offering will be expanded through the partnership. Between April 2025 and September 2025:
 

• 45% of Passages products were BC manufactured or produced by BC owned businesses. This constitutes a 65% increase in the number of BC products we offered in the same time period the previous year.
• 64% of Passages products were Canadian manufactured or produced by Canadian owned businesses.  

Tim van den Boog of Authentic Indigenous Seafood Cooperative, a BC supplier that is featured on board BC Ferries vessels, said: “We’re excited to see our seafood — and other home-grown BC products — featured through this partnership. It’s a valuable opportunity for travellers, both locals as well as tourists, to learn where their seafood comes from and how their choices directly support Indigenous-owned fisheries, coastal economies, and sustainable resource stewardship. We hope BC Ferries customers continue to support local small-to-medium businesses like ours, helping keep value and jobs in our communities.”

BC Ferries features a range of BC products on board, with the new partnership helping to expand how Buy BC licensed producers are showcased across the fleet. Licensing confirms that products are authentically grown, processed, or made in British Columbia, supporting local farmers, producers, and communities. Producers interested in becoming licensed can learn more or apply on the Buy BC website. Vendors interested in being featured on BC Ferries vessels can visit our website here.

For interview footage on the Buy BC and Feed BC partnership, as well as b-roll of featured products available onboard, please contact the BC Ferries Media Team.