Embracing Gimjang: The Heart of Local Kimchi in Metro Vancouver

Gimjang, also spelled kimjang, is a deeply rooted Korean tradition of preparing and sharing kimchi in large quantities. Recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, Gimjang is more than an annual kimchi-making ritual. It’s a moment when neighbours gather to share labor, harvests, and food—strengthening bonds through collaboration and generosity. While many associate Gimjang with home kitchens or community groups, its spirit can also thrive within modern, for-profit businesses. A small, local kimchi company can be a powerful carrier of these values.

The Essence of Gimjang: Connection and Community

At its core, Gimjang is about connection. People work side-by-side, preserving food for the winter and ensuring that no household is left out. When a local kimchi business embraces these principles, it transforms commercial activity into something more meaningful. It becomes an engine for community health, sustainable food culture, and local resilience.

Supporting Local Sourcing

A for-profit company committed to local sourcing supports the same values Gimjang has always upheld: shared abundance and respect for the land that feeds us. By purchasing vegetables from nearby organic (or organic-leaning) farmers and other supplies from local vendors, the business keeps food dollars circulating within the community. This practice promotes responsible living.

Using sustainable, low-waste practices honors the stewardship ethic that has long guided traditional food preservation. By paying local growers fair prices, it strengthens a regional food system that benefits everyone—from consumers to producers.

Creating Community Through Kimchi

The act of making kimchi can also provide opportunities to create community. Workshops, tasting events, seasonal “mini-Gimjang” gatherings, and school partnerships are initiatives that Gimjang Fermentation plans to host in the near future. These events allow people to learn, connect, and celebrate cultural diversity through food.

Unlike large-scale manufacturers, a small local business can invite customers into the process. They can see the ingredients, the craft, and the hands that make each batch. This transparency builds trust, belonging, and a deeper understanding of how good food is made. However, regulatory constraints on commercial kitchen setups in BC, Canada, where Gimjang Fermentation Corp is situated, currently limit such interactions.

Profit with Purpose

The profit generated by a local kimchi company operating with a community mindset leads to practical, meaningful contributions. These include educational programs that inspire healthier eating, collaborations that strengthen local farms, and food donations that ensure vulnerable neighbours have access to nourishing staples. In this way, profit becomes a tool—not the goal.

The real impact emerges from building sustainable systems that serve both people and place.

The Future of Gimjang in Metro Vancouver

When a small kimchi business carries forward the heart of Gimjang—cooperation, generosity, sustainability, and respect—it becomes not just a producer of food but a creator of community. It demonstrates how traditional values can thrive in modern entrepreneurship. Commerce and culture can enrich each other. By grounding its work in Gimjang’s spirit, we believe Gimjang Fermentation Corp can do more than grow a business. It can help cultivate a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.

Conclusion

Gimjang is not just about making kimchi; it is about building relationships and fostering community spirit. As we embrace this tradition, we can create a vibrant local food culture in Metro Vancouver. Let’s celebrate the art of kimchi-making and the connections it fosters.

Noah Yoon - Farmer and Cofounder of Gimjang Fermentation Corp.