$475,000 being offered to BC farmers markets

NORTHERN BC- Provincial support is being offered to farmers’ market vendors that are trying to recover from the year of devastating flooding, fires and pandemic-related challenges.

The new BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program is offering $475,000 to ensure farmers market vendors have enough support to operate during emergencies, ensuring BC residents have access to food. The funding can be used for signs and merchandising, storage and transportation, and power and operational costs. Non-profits, co-operatives, local governments and First Nations that primarily sell food and beverages from BC are eligible.

“Community-based farmers’ markets across BC are a key anchor for local and regional food systems supporting thousands of local farm, food and artisanal businesses,” said Heather O’Hara, executive director, BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. “The BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program is a critical investment in the resiliency of local farmers’ markets, which have risen to the challenge and fed our communities in both good times and throughout COVID, forest fires and flooding.”

The one-time funding is a reimbursement-based program delivered through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, in collaboration with the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. The province says the funding will help markets come back stronger from their pre-pandemic operating levels, set a strong foundation for future growth and long-term success, and strengthen food security.