Emergency Disaster Resources

With drought and wildfire conditions affecting so many communities throughout BC, it’s more important than ever to collaborate and help each other build more sustainable and resilient futures.

Below are some resources and ways BCAFM can help farmers’ markets, farmers and FMNCP community partners during these challenging times.

Questions? Need assistance? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Planning Ahead

• BC Farmers’ Market Emergency Response Guide: Created by BCAFM, this guide includes templates, strategies and recommendations to support farmers’ market organizers throughout British Columbia in case of an emergency.
• PreparedBC – Guide for Small Businesses: A template for small businesses to plan and prepare for emergencies that could interrupt operations.
• Disaster Planning Resources (Small Business BC): Expert advice, tools, guides, and resources for small businesses to build resilience and recover stronger.

During a Disaster

Farmers’ Markets

If you are faced with evacuation and are not able to run your market, please know there are a few ways BC Farmers’ Markets can assist.

• BC Farmers’ Market Trail listing: We can update your location or mention you’re temporarily not operating.
• Displaced vendors: We can send a call-out to nearby markets asking if they can host displaced vendors.
• Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP): We can coordinate with your community partners to provide details on where coupons can be used, or if replacement coupons need to be sent.

Farmers

On-farm pickups: If a farmer has produce but is unable to access their farmers’ market, the FMNCP has arranged for partners to do on-farm pickups.

Below are some ag-specific resources from the BC government and other organizations in BC:

• Financial assistance: There are various existing programs that offer different levels of support for producers who have experienced losses due to a disaster event, including wildfires. View the key programs here.
• Livestock relocation: The BC government has developed a Livestock Relocation Factsheet to assist and support producers in being as prepared as possible during emergencies.
• Temporary foreign workers: WALI has created guidelines for farmers to help keep their temporary foreign workers safe and supported during emergencies.

Community Partners

There are also a number of ways the FMNCP can help community partners:

• Bulk shopping: If participants are evacuated and the market is still operating, partners can request permission to do bulk shopping for displaced participants.
• Alternative locations/procedures: If a farmers’ market has to relocate or conduct itself in a creative way (such as the market collects crops from vendors and brings them to a central location), community partners can request that FMNCP coupons be used in that way.