Shari Janzen
About Shari:
Shari is an economic development assistant at the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako where she has worked for three years after completing the Applied Business Technology program at the College of New Caledonia. Prior to this, Shari worked at a small business in a community struggling after the closure of the local mine and only grocery store.
Shari enrolled in the CED program to gain the knowledge and skills to better serve the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako and its residents. The program increased her understanding of local challenges and her ability to collaborate more effectively.
Project:
As her final project, Shari tackled the issue of access to local fresh foods in Bulkley-Nechako. Step one of this project involves establishing a non-profit society (Local First Society) to facilitate the circulation of local foods. In collaborations with local municipalities, First Nation communities and local farmers, the next step includes developing a market schedule, purchasing plans and meat processing schedules. The outcome is a mutually beneficial relationship between residents of the municipalities, First Nations communities, and local food producers.