New program to help support and expand farmers’ markets in B.C.

Farmers’ markets in British Columbia will be receiving financial support from the provincial and federal governments.

The B.C. Farmers’ Market Expansion program will provide funding to support the expansion of markets so they can accommodate more vendors and maintain operations during emergencies. A total of $475,000 has been allocated to this one-time program, which will provide up to $15,000 to eligible applicants.

The program is intended to support markets by getting them back to pre-pandemic levels and setting them up for future growth, all while supporting B.C. food producers.

“This new program funding will help ensure farmers’ markets can stay open and operate during emergencies so British Columbians can access the foods they count on,” said Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

“Through the pandemic and extreme weather events the province has seen over the last year and a half, the importance of local food has never been greater. Markets will be able to grow and welcome more vendors while keeping everyone healthy and safe.”

The funding can be used to cover the costs of storage and transportation, signs and merchandising, and power and operations.

Eligible applicants include non-profit groups, co-operatives, for-profit corporations, local government and First Nations that operate a farmers’ market that primarily sells B.C. food and beverage products. In order to be eligible, a farmers’ market must have been established prior to November 2020 and operated for at least one year or operated in the summer 2021 season.

“Community-based farmers’ markets across B.C. 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, B.C. 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 funding is a one-time, cost-shared, reimbursement program. It is being delivered through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership in collaboration with the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets.

Applications will be accepted until January 28, 2022, on a first-come, first-served basis or until all the available finding has been distributed.