Editor:
After reading the Jan. 29 article, “Brewery dodges bullet at SCRD planning committee,” I feel compelled to point out that Persephone is much more than just a brewery, and respect and contribution to our community has been part of the business plan all along. (This is literally the case – Persephone is the only B.C. brewery certified as a B Corp, with community impact being one of key measurements.)
At Persephone Farms Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living (SCACL), we’re very proud of our partnership with the brewery. SCACL has been active on the Coast for more than 40 years, supporting people with developmental disabilities, including providing opportunities for meaningful and rewarding employment.
We didn’t join this partnership for the beer, it was because of Brian Smith’s enthusiastic support of our goals, as well as his credibility and track record, not just here at Community Futures in Sechelt, but also in numerous other community-centred social enterprises such as SOLEfood Farms in the downtown eastside of Vancouver.
Now we’re clearing scrub forest for growing food, including crops needed to make beer. SCACL and those we support have benefited greatly from this partnership, including fundraisers, creating jobs and a whole new level of community integration. We’ve been heartened by the encouragement of visitors to the “Beer Farm.”
Calls for punitive action by overzealous rule makers miss the point entirely. But we’re happy about the opportunity for more public consultation, and are hoping for precedent-setting support from the community once residents see the larger picture. You can learn more about Persephone on their website at www.persephonebrewing.com
Sven Brindley, director, Persephone Farms Ltd., Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living
