By Alison Taylor

Pique NewsMagazine
Published 2009-07-01 13:36:52

There's an aggressive push from Squamish Nation these days to get business booming and money flowing to its members.

Take the new gaming centre now under construction on the Sea to Sky Highway, or last week's announcement of the multi-million dollar deal for their residential subdivision in Alpine.

There's also the breathtaking year-old cultural centre in the village, and the 18-hole golf course on the books for the Callaghan Valley.

Land development has always been the forte of the Squamish Nation. But now they can add something new to their growing list of business deals: organic farming.

"Land development comes and goes," said Chief Gibby Jacob this week. "But everybody's got to eat. So I thought this was a natural thing for us to get involved in."

He is talking about the First Nation's new involvement with an indoor farming company called TerraSphere Systems, which uses vertical growth carousels to grow produce such as baby spinach, baby lettuces and herbs.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TerraSphere Systems, LLC, a local Vancouver business, is pleased to announce an ongoing partnership between Squamish Nation leaders and Choices Markets, British Columbia’s leading grocer for gourmet and organic foods. The Squamish Nation has purchased twenty TerraSphere growth carousels for the production of basil and herbs that will be sold exclusively in eight Choices Markets across the region.

TerraSphere Systems, LLC designs and builds highly efficient systems, called growth carousels, which provide a natural means of growing organic fruits and vegetables in an indoor environment. Revolutionizing the way communities access fresh, organic produce, TerraSphere Systems rely on clean technology to create ideal growing conditions for commercially desirable crops. Nick Brusatore, Technical Director for TerraSphere says, “The Choices Markets purchase from The Squamish Nation demonstrates that TerraSphere growth carousels cultivate high-quality produce for the most discerning of tastes.”

The Squamish Nation are descendants of the Coast Salish Aboriginal peoples who now live in the present day Greater Vancouver area. They are involved in several multi- million dollar business ventures throughout the region and see the TerraSphere growth carousels as a unique agricultural opportunity. “TerraSphere provides a highly efficient, technologically innovative way to grow plants,” said Chief Gibby Jacob. “It is a way to feed the people. For the Squamish Nation becoming leaders at the forefront of technological innovation is something that we embrace and encourage for our young people, and future generations.”

Choices Markets have been steadfast suppliers of local and organic produce to the BC community for nearly 20 years. Mark Vickars, Choices Markets CEO, states, “Choices’ focus remains on supplying our communities with natural, organic foods, and our venture into this partnership is in line with our principles. Thus far, The Squamish Nation has supplied us with impressive crops of fresh basil. Without a doubt, it’s a product we’re proud to carry at Choices Markets.”

TerraSphere Systems, LLC and its subsidiary, TerraSphere Systems Canada Inc., partner with private businesses and public institutions to create solutions to food production challenges. TerraSphere Systems, LLC designs and builds highly efficient systems for growing organic fruits and vegetables in a controlled, indoor environment.

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