Alternative Business School Graduates From Groundswell Present Their Fares In Granville Island

Luckily for me, I’m on Facebook (give me a like, won’t you?) and often pay attention to the events that are suggested to me, as I procrastinate on the work I need to do. Yesterday, up popped the Groundswell Test Market At Granville Island, and I proceeded to dart down there to explore some of Vancouver’s newest business. Groundwell Test Market was full of the graduates from this alternative business school where “young ideas and budding social entrepreneurs connect and flourish.” Their mission is to enable people to work from their strengths and get the chance to share their unique gift with the world.

From their website, I learned that they have 120+ alumni and a network of dedicated mentors, advisors, guest speakers, and instructors and they’ve launched over 30 social ventures, creating 65 jobs with less than $5,000 in start-up capital. Groundswell creates community leadership through speaking engagements, seminar delivery, and community gatherings and have hosted hundreds of community events reaching thousands of people. Well done Groundswell!

The Groundswell Test Market yesterday included some very delicious treats and artisan crafts and even some entertainment and games, and they will be there each Tuesday throughout the summer from 11- 4 pm at Chain and Forge at 1404 Anderson Street on Granville Island.

I met some great people yesterday and there’s some very cool stories being told along with tasty and unique products for you to sample and support, you’ll be glad you made the effort to learn about these new ventures.

Eat The Dishes, a local, zero waste and 100% vegan food stand that offers a variety of creamy soups and thick hot chocolate in freshly baked, naturally seasoned edible bread cups!

Munchies Foodshare, a project designed to connect the local community with those in need via food sharing!

GLU.godlovesugly, an Indigenous fluid artist whose mediums include prints, canvas magnets, wood panels, T-shirt’s, and shoes.

LEAP Cricket Protein powder. Only now do I get the reason they’re called “Leap” and the thought behind the shirt, must be a bit slow. Crickets……LEAP!

Urban Leaf Plant Based Foods, some tasty spinach and basil pesto, carrot “lox”, and Labneh, and vegan yogurt cheese!

Plant Veda, delicious plant-based Lassi’s that I’m sipping right now as I took one home!

Indiarts, a collection of South American artisan Indigenous handcrafts who provide support to the artists beyond just a monetary transaction.

Susgrainable, a bakery that bakes delicious goods made from spent brewery grains.

Bucha Brew, delightful Kombucha in all sorts of flavours. Another product currently in my fridge!

Caldo Broths, delicious veggie broths; the mushroom was divine. We chatted about the specifics of how the broths were made.

House Of Yee Fine Foods, darling little dumplings, that are gluten free as a bonus. I ate all of them despite just having had lunch.

Biota Fermentation, Brad Hendrickson’s small batch fermented kimchi, veggies, kombucha, sauerkraut and mustards. I’ve got some grapefruit mustard and sauerkraut in my fridge now!

True Nosh, a Diabetes-friendly food & beverage company making everything without using sugar

Tailwind Foods – Dehydrated nutritional meals for those with food sensitivities!

The Groundswell Test Market is in Granville Island on Tuesdays from 11-4 pm at Chain and Forage under the Granville Street Bridge in a wheelchair accessible area.