Lumby seniors dig into food, friendship and community solutions  

ByPatrick Dunne
Seniors participate in a cakewalk at the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre.
Seniors participate in a cakewalk at the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre.

A free air-fryer demo, toe-tapping live music and a full house of smiling seniors – the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair was more than a good time. It was proof that food and community still bring people together in powerful ways.  

Held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre, the five-hour fair drew close to 100 attendees and a lineup of local groups from across the North Okanagan. For coordinator, Lorelei Fiset of Pinnacle Communications and Media, the response was tremendous.  

“Organizers were very pleased with the turnout and especially that so many seniors stayed for the majority of the day,” Fiset told the Vernon Morning Star. “Many of the exhibitors later expressed their interest in wanting to have the fair again next year.”  

The event – complete with draws, cooking demos, and a host of health and food information – marked an early success for Lumby’s Age-Friendly Food Security Development Project, funded by BC Healthy Communities through the Age-Friendly Communities program.  

Fiset said the idea grew directly out of conversations with seniors. “People told us they wanted practical information on food and meal programs, and more chances to connect with others,” she said. “This project turns that feedback into real action.”  

An RCMP officer provides fraud prevention tips at a security seminar during the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair, held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre.
An RCMP officer provides fraud prevention tips at a security seminar during the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair, held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre.

Food security meets local ingenuity  

The project tackles a growing rural challenge: helping older residents – particularly those living alone on fixed incomes or without reliable transportation – gain better access to affordable, nutritious meals.  

The project aims to support seniors in being able to afford and access food, to make and preserve it, and to enhance their personal well-being and emergency preparedness while strengthening our community.  

Live music fills the air at the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair. Two talented musicians entertain attendees with acoustic guitars and vocals at the White Valley Community Centre on October 21, 2025.
Live music fills the air at the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair. Two talented musicians entertain attendees with acoustic guitars and vocals at the White Valley Community Centre on October 21, 2025.

Building on surveys, focus groups and engagement sessions held earlier in the year, in 2024, the initiative evolved to include the Seniors Fair as well as:  

  • Meal prep and preservation equipment for community kitchens;  
  • Food-sharing carts and a refrigerator to store and distribute produce and frozen packaged food.  
  • A trial bus connection to help transport seniors to grocery stores, shopping, medical and social opportunities in Vernon and potentially Kelowna in the future.  
  • Partnerships between groups like the White Valley Community Resource Centre, Monashee Community Co-op, and the OAP 50+ Club, and the Men’s Shed.  
Seniors participate in chair yoga at the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre.
Seniors participate in chair yoga at the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre.

Built by locals, for locals  

The Monashee Community Co-op, one of several local partners, voiced strong backing for the effort. “We are excited to support the initiative for the Village of Lumby Age-Friendly grant,” wrote Christine Bauman, the co-op’s board president, in a letter of support. “It may also benefit others in our rural community such as lower-income families and those who cannot access transportation without undue effort or expense.”  
 
Meanwhile, the Lumby Men’s Shed – a new organization known for its hands-on volunteer projects – used the fair to talk about their programs and a new food-sharing stand built they are building for Spring installation at the OAP 50+ Hall beside Saddle Mountain Place and Cottonwood affordable housing.  
 
The fair itself became a model for flexibility. Originally planned as a single food-preparation workshop, organizers pivoted after hearing that seniors preferred demonstrations and social interaction. “We gave away the four different appliances we used for the demos, plus four cakes through free cake walks and a Good Food Box as a door prize,” Fiset said. “It was a rewarding day – I heard firsthand from seniors and their families and caregivers how much people enjoyed the sessions, which also included learning about fraud prevention, nutrition, technology and other topics.”  
 
The event also brought lasting tools to the community. Fiset noted that the project purchased a commercial vacuum sealer “which is amazing for keeping prepared and raw foods fresher longer,” and a large commercial restaurant-style coffee pot for the OAP Hall to cut waste at social events. “It seems less significant, but it is needed,” she said. “They’re often cost-prohibitive for small non-profits, and it’ll be used again and again.”  

Event coordinator Lorelei Fiset of Pinnacle Communications and Media, along with Jay from the community hall kitchen, show off the new vacuum sealer at the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair, held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre. This new equipment helps promote food preservation and wellness among the community.
Event coordinator Lorelei Fiset of Pinnacle Communications and Media, along with Jay from the community hall kitchen, show off the new vacuum sealer at the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair, held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre. This new equipment helps promote food preservation and wellness among the community.

More than meals  

For many participants, the day was about more than food. “They enjoyed meeting up with each other, entering the games and prize draws, enjoying tasting the food, and were delighted with the information they took home,” Fiset added. “We were thrilled to have organizations from Lumby, Vernon and Cherryville participate and so grateful for the businesses that contributed funds to the food sharing cart and the Seniors Fair.”  
 
The $15,000 grant-funded project runs through November 2025 and will wrap up with a meeting of community groups and the final proof of a senior’s services local directory, a 12-page booklet which will increase awareness of services and provide contact information for the various organizations.  This directory will be of interest, especially to newcomers in the community and people who see their needs for support changing. Longer-term, the group plans to sustain the work through semi-annual planning meetings that will coordinate activities and identify resources.  
 
As Fiset summed up, “Our community is so grateful for all this project has done for seniors and low-income residents – and in bringing our community’s impact sector together. It’s satisfying to see everyone sharing good ideas and making commitments for future collaboration.” 

Residents explore wellness and food preservation options during the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair, held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre.
Residents explore wellness and food preservation options during the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair, held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre.