Chef Ned Bell (left) and Farmer Thomas Tumbach started the Summerland Sauce Project to turn veggies into help – Photo: Summerland Sauce Project

Casey Richardson – Aug 29, 2026 / From Castanet

A project that bought crops from Okanagan farmers impacted by the Bald Range wildfire and turned them into seasonal sauces and preserves raised more than $22,000.

Spearheaded by Chef Ned Bell and farmer Thomas Tumbach of LocalMotive Farmers Network Cooperative, the Summerland Sauce Project helped save over 4, 000 lbs of veggies.

Tumbach lives in Garnet Valley and lost multiple homes on his farm property. Even while evacuated and with no home to return to, he was worried about others.

At the start, the pair was concerned that “road closures, cancelled markets, and a season with far fewer visitors left growers with ripe food and nowhere to sell it.”

“We can’t replace everything that has been lost, but we can save what is still here,” Bell said.

Bell spent over 60 hours cooking to make 910 litres of sauce, as their stocked fridge kept selling out.

“The generosity we have seen these past few weeks has been immeasurable. We are beyond grateful and beyond words,” LocalMotive shared on Facebook.

Thumbach was able to go into the fire zone with a temporary access permit and solo-harvest hundreds of pounds of produce from the farm.

“Thank you to the many other farmers who supplied veggies and harvested in the thick smoke.”

Supporters could donate funds or purchase containers of sauce as their donation. The project said the additional funds raised will be distributed to farmers in need.

Through stocking the sauce at the storefront in Penticton and online ordering, the team was able to raise $22,125 in 14 days.

“This is community, an incredible community,” LocalMotive said.

“For those of you who bought sauce online and haven’t picked up, please stop by Local Motive Market. For those of you who would like to continue to support us, please visit the store to buy your groceries.”

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