In B.C.’s Garnet Valley, Thomas Tumbach, a long-time farmer, faced the loss of his residence and several structures on his 4.85-hectare farm due to the intense Bald Range wildfire. Tumbach mentioned that his organic crops were in prime condition during the incident, likely echoing the challenges experienced by fellow farmers in the broader Okanagan area, facing crop losses or market limitations.
Despite the personal tragedy, Tumbach, along with chef Ned Bell, devised a plan to support local producers. This initiative, known as the Summerland Sauce Project, involves Bell creating hundreds of liters of sauce using produce sourced from nearby farmers. The proceeds from sauce sales will be directed to farmers impacted by the wildfire, including those whose crops were destroyed.
“We won’t be deterred by this fire; it may slow us down, but we are determined to be resilient in our community and ensure a continuous food supply,” Tumbach expressed to Joseph Otoo on CBC’s Daybreak South.
The initial sauce for the project, named Ned’s Ratatouille, features locally grown vegetables like eggplant, squash, and peppers. These sauces will be frozen and retailed at the LocalMotive Low-Waste Market in Penticton, B.C. The Summerland community, hosting numerous wildfire evacuees like Tumbach, has been a focal point for this endeavor, with Bell emphasizing the challenges faced by farmers, including reduced sales due to evacuated areas, depressed tourism, and climate-related harvest issues.
Bell emphasized the importance of creating nutrient-dense products to combat food waste, hinting at future sauce variations utilizing surplus fresh fruits. The Bald Range wildfire, expanding over 210 square kilometers as of recent reports, impacted many, including Tumbach, who described it as the most devastating fire he’s encountered.
Looking ahead, Bell highlighted the urgent need for ongoing support initiatives like the Summerland Sauce Project to aid the farming community in the B.C. Interior, which has been repeatedly ravaged by wildfires. He emphasized the necessity to safeguard farmers against future natural disasters, stressing the importance of solidarity and proactive measures for the agricultural sector.