Programs & Campaigns
BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program
Exciting news! An additional $142.500 has been added to the BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program to help set up markets for future growth and long-term success while contributing to resilient local food systems.
This second round of the program will continue to enable eligible BC farmers’ markets to access funding to cover the costs of eligible signage, equipment, and infrastructure on a first-come, first-served basis.
The BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program is a cost-shared, reimbursement-based program that is being delivered through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, in collaboration with the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets.
Petition to the Government of Canada: Support M-78 and Create a Matching Program for
Farmers’ Markets Nutrition Coupon Program
With the support of MP Gord Johns, we are bringing a petition to the House of Commons asking the Government of Canada to help expand the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) across the country.
Every year, the BC FMNCP supports nearly 16,000 vulnerable families, pregnant people, and seniors with weekly farmers’ market coupons. The petition calls for the federal government to provide matching funds for all provincial Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Programs in operation across Canada and encourages provinces that do not have such a program to implement one by offering matching funding.
We welcome you to download and print them out for your farmers’ markets, along with these instructions:
Farmers for Climate Solutions
BCAFM is now a member of Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS), a coalition of farming organizations that represents over 20,000 Canadian farmers. In September 2020, FCS recruited a farmer-led task force of experts, to propose short-term actions that will deliver long-term benefits on climate emissions. We are proud to support their program recommendations, which, if adopted by the Canadian government, will chart the course for a climate-resilient agricultural sector that prioritizes farmer livelihoods and food security for all Canadians.
BC Farmers’ Markets Online
BC Farmers’ Markets Online is an initiative that supports and promotes member farmers’ markets of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets in selling vendor products through an online farmers’ market store. Each market is unique in its operations, and BC Farmers’ Markets Online will reflect this diversity. For example, markets may vary in the online platform they use and how products are delivered or picked up.
Please note that participation in BC Farmers’ Markets Online is voluntary and does not necessarily replace a physical market. Additionally, for various reasons individual markets may determine not to develop an online market for the moment.
We are excited to share this project as it progresses through the 2020 season. Finding your local online farmers’ market is now possible on the BC Farmers’ Market Trail (under Find a Farmers’ Market).
Find an online farmers’ market
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) is a healthy eating initiative that improves access to fresh, locally produced food for lower-income families and seniors enrolled in cooking and skill-building programs in their communities. Community partners issue coupons to families and seniors participating in their food skills programs to spend at their local farmers’ market each week, which strengthens food security and farmers’ markets across the province.
Market Manager Mentoring Program
This program offers BC farmers’ market managers/staff one-on-one guidance, resources and networks to overcome challenges, achieve business goals and success at their farmers’ markets.
Mary Forstbauer Grant
In honour of the late Mary Forstbauer, founding member and president of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM), this new grant will be presented annually to a BC farmer who sells at BCAFM member farmers’ markets. The award is to be used by a farmer for the implementation of a new initiative on their farm.
Farmers’ Success Stories Project
The BCAFM, in partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, has developed a resource guide to highlight successful farmers’ market farmers and communicate their best business and operations management practices. The objectives of the resource guide is to strengthen the market skills of farmers selling at farmers’ markets; identify the path to a successful small-scale direct market farming operation; and develop a strong direction for the sector.
The BC Farmers' Market Trail
The BC Farmers’ Market Trail is the definitive guide to 145+ authentic BC farmers’ markets bringing you fresh, local, in-season food from the people who grow it.
Find a Farmers' Market