Our Mission & Aspiration
We are passionate about local food and helping markets, farmers and small businesses grow so local food continues to thrive. Our mission is to support, develop and promote farmers’ markets in British Columbia.
Who we are
We are a registered BC society that is committed to developing and strengthening the capacity of farmers’ markets in all regions of British Columbia. Our key areas of focus are:
- Providing education and training to market boards, managers and vendors
- Helping promote farmers’ markets to the public and key industry stakeholders
- Educating the public to choose healthy British Columbia grown agricultural products to ensure a secure food system, to reduce the carbon footprint and to ensure the viability of farming into the future
- Initiating and managing research and development activities
- Delivering a unified industry voice for all British Columbia farmers’ markets
What we aspire to
In 2021, the BCAFM elaborated its Theory of Change which illustrates our ultimate aspirations for the next 5 years:
- Nurture a just, inclusive and sustainable food system where everyone has access to and benefits from BCAFM member farmers’ markets across BC.
- Empower farmers’ markets to be viable and resilient, solidly rooted in their community/region, and remain a relevant and innovative, local, direct sales channel.
- Ensure farmers’ markets are recognized as essential in the community and acknowledged as an integral part of food security, local economies and emergency response.
- Cherish and celebrate the uniqueness of the farmers’ markets experience and the essential role they play in nourishing us and bringing communities together.
- Support farmers markets as environmental sustainability leaders in tackling climate change.
Equity, Justice, Decolonization statement of purpose
BCAFM is committed to knowledge sharing for the gathering, raising and growing of food, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and works towards eradicating poverty and inequitable gatekeeping. BCAFM is committed to also approaching these through a decolonization lens. BCAFM will focus its EJDI actions to actively engaging in movements to ensure all BC residents have sufficient income and resources so they can afford to buy healthful and culturally appropriate foods; prioritize dismantling systemic barriers that restrict access to spaces and knowledge for growing, raising and gathering food.
Our guiding principles
Our guiding principles reflect both our current and aspirational vision, and are meant to support us in realizing our mission.
Resiliency
We aim for farmers’ markets to support diverse local communities and livelihoods to support local economies, and endeavour to have an active role in addressing climate change in building a just and sustainable local food system.
Connection
We are rooted and connected to our food, communities, the land, our shared history and collective future. We foster diverse relationships between farmers, growers, food processors, artisans and farmers’ market communities as part of an interconnected system.
Innovation
We embrace adaptability, diversity, and locality. We encourage members to leverage their unique strengths and attributes, and seek opportunities for BCAFM and its members to evolve in an ever changing food system.
Equity, Social Justice & Decolonization
We acknowledge that centering equity, social justice and decolonization is imperative to address food system inequities, and recognize the intersections of local food systems, colonialism, and systemic racism. We work towards achieving food justice where every person has equal access to diverse local foods and participation in the farmers’ market sector.
Empowerment
We nurture organizational and member capacity and recognize the need for diverse perspectives and strategies to participate in the farmers’ market sector. Through our member centred approach, we develop and promote tools and best practices that seek to empower members to realize their own self-determination.
Joy & Celebration
We believe in the sustenance and vitality that farmers’ markets bring to their communities and the local food sector. We encourage members to celebrate the various and dynamic ways that farmers’ markets nourish us and bring us together.
Mission Statement
To support, develop and promote farmers' markets in British Columbia.