October 19, 2021

Freybe donates $70,000 to the development of gardens and outdoor learning spaces at Salishan Place by the River

LANGLEY, BC – Freybe Gourmet Foods today announced sponsorship of the gardens and outdoor learning spaces at Salishan Place by the River, the Township of Langley’s new arts, culture and heritage centre. This facility, envisioned in partnership with the four land-based q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), Máthekwi (Matsqui) and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) First Nations, is currently under construction in Fort Langley.

The planned gardens are part of the Township’s commitment to reconciliation with local First Nations, Indigenous, and Métis communities.  A section of the gardens will be devoted to plant species connected to Indigenous culture, tradition, and medicine. The gardens will provide enhanced learning opportunities to visitors of the centre via QR code interpretive signage and are the planned location of future centre programming.

Another portion of the garden will feature species rooted in the objectives of the Township of Langley’s Climate Action Strategy – those found in the province’s coastal rainforests as well as drought resistant varieties. Nestled between these two gardens will be an outdoor classroom, an open-air space designed for school programs, walking tours, speaker series, and Township arts, culture and heritage programs.

“This sponsorship provides Freybe with the opportunity to work with Indigenous communities on their lands. As our organization learns more about our relationship with Indigenous peoples, we hope to push other businesses to support these initiatives as a way to create space for dialogue and learning,” says Angela Doro, President of Freybe Gourmet Foods. “Investing in Salishan Place by the River is a collaborative way for us to participate in activities that move us towards truth and meaningful reconciliation.”

“The gardens at Salishan Place would not be possible without the generosity of Freybe Gourmet Foods,” says Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese. “They have been a great Corporate Citizen in the Township of Langley for many years supporting numerous community events. It is great to have them as a Premier Sponsor of our new heritage centre in Fort Langley.”

While the installation of the gardens is planned for Fall 2022 and available for viewing by Spring 2023, Salishan Place will not be open to the public until Canada Day 2023. The Township is still seeking additional corporate and community sponsors to help complete some of the centre’s interior spaces including the presentation theatre, the archive, the art gallery and its future exhibitions.

Interested parties may contact the Township’s Arts, Culture and Community Initiatives division at artsinfo@tol.ca or by calling 604-533-6106. https://museum.tol.ca/museum/Portal/default.aspx

About Freybe Gourmet Foods
Freybe Gourmet Foods is Canada’s leading brand for premium quality Germanic deli specialties and snack foods such as salami, pâté, hams, sausages, and pepperoni sticks. Since 1844, Freybe has won over 425 international gold medals for our dry cure products. Freybe’s mission is to connect people through the love of great food, and we’re passionate about helping our consumers master the art of moment-making through the products we create. Freybe has been part of the Premium Brands group of companies since 2013. We work from and operate on Coast Salish lands and acknowledge the traditional territories of the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), (q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓) Kwantlen, Máthekwi (Matsqui), and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) First Nations.

For more information, please visit freybe.com

For further information please contact: Tanya MacKay, Marketing Manager, Freybe Gourmet Foods, tmackay@freybe.com, 604-607-7426.