BCAFM Inclusion Vendor Grant
The 2025 BCAFM Inclusion Vendor Grant is now open!
As part of the BCAFM ongoing commitment to building an equitable, just, inclusive and resilient food system and local economy, the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets is proud to offer a 2025 BCAFM Inclusion Vendor Grant.
Everyone gains when our farmers’ markets reflect the diversity of our communities. There are so many benefits to offering, and being part of, a place where everyone feels welcome. It’s good for business, good for food security, and good for social cohesion. Markets become more vibrant, attract new customers, and develop relationships with new people across communities. Ultimately, there will be more abundant and diverse farmers and food producers, and a stronger local economy.
This BCAFM Inclusion Vendor Grant is available to farmers’ market vendor businesses who sell at BCAFM member farmers’ markets and who are owned by members of groups experiencing historical and/or current barriers to inclusion and equity. These include, but are not limited to the following to the following equity-deserving groups:
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples
- Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin
- Persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities
- Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions
To apply for this grant, farmers’ market vendor business owners are required to:
- Self-identify as an equity-deserving entrepreneur; and
- Sell food or food products at BCAFM member farmers’ markets; and
- Own a farm or food business which includes farm products, prepared foods or ready to eat foods.
A total of 10 grants of $500 each will be awarded, with one grant awarded in each of the 10 geographical regions in British Columbia as follows:
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
- City of Vancouver
- Fraser Valley
- Kootenay Rockies & Columbia Basin
- Metro Vancouver
- Northern BC
- Sea To Sky
- Sunshine Coast
- Thompson Okanagan
- Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Grant funds can be used to strengthen or support the growth of your farm and food vendor business. Eligible activities include:
- Marketing, promotions, communications
- Equipment and supplies
- Training
- Services, contractors, staff and consultants
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Vendor businesses owned by self-identified members of groups experiencing historical and/or current barriers to inclusion and equity; and
- Who currently sell at BCAFM member farmers’ markets; and
- Who sell food or food products including prepared and ready to eat foods.
The deadline to apply is Thursday, December 4, 2025. All grant activities need to be completed by Oct 31st, 2026. Upon project completion, grant recipients will be required to submit a brief grant report to BCAFM. The 10 grant recipients will be notified by the BCAFM team sometime in January 2026.
Project Highlights from BCAFM Inclusion Vendor Grant Recipients:
Borsch by the Bay
With the support of the BCAFM Inclusion Vendor Grant, Borsch by the Bay successfully completed several improvements to strengthen their business presence at the Squamish Farmers Market. With their branded packaging, promotional materials, and social media advertising, they were able to enhance their brand visibility, attract more customers, and share Ukrainian culinary traditions with the local community.
RAD Farm
Thanks to this funding, RAD Farm was able to acquire a pre-built aquaponics system, which included an IBC tote, lava rocks, and four initial fish. They have successfully expanded this foundation into a thriving operation, adding five additional growing spaces and substantially increasing both their fish population and plant capacity.
taste of home
Falafal, hummus, baba ganoush, baklava and more—Taste of Home gives people the opportunity to experience traditional Syrian food and culture. Their BCAFM Inclusion Vendor Grant was put towards a market tent and table that expands their booth, bringing in more customers and benefitting the business, the farmers’ market and the community.