BCAFM Inclusion Vendor Grant

The 2024 BCAFM Inclusion Vendor Grant is now closed.

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 2024 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:

  1. Self-identify as an equity-deserving entrepreneur; and
  2. Sell food or food products at BCAFM member farmers’ markets; and
  3. 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

  1. Vendor businesses owned by self-identified members of groups experiencing historical and/or current barriers to inclusion and equity; and
  2. Who currently sell at BCAFM member farmers’ markets; and
  3. Who sell food or food products including prepared and ready to eat foods.

The deadline to apply is Monday, December 2, 2024. All grant activities need to be completed by Oct 31st, 2025. 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 2025.

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