B.C. farmers’ markets benefit from Buy Local funding
By Nelson Daily Staff
Farmers’ markets all over the province are enticing British Columbians with locally grown and produced products, fresh from their own backyards.
The B.C. government’s Buy Local program is providing six local farmers’ markets with a combined total of $57,055 in funding.
The Buy Local program is helping agrifood companies promote their products through buy local initiatives. The Coquitlam Farmers’ Market Society is receiving up to $7,830 in funding to advertise through a social media campaign, creating promotional materials and updating the organization’s website to bring more visitors to their year round markets.
“The Buy Local program is investing in the province’s farmers’ markets to deliver fresh tasting, home-grown, locally produced products to the homes of British Columbians throughout B.C.,” Linda Reimer, MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam.
“The hard-working individuals that make up the sector share their passion for authentic flavours and dedication to providing for B.C.’s families.”
Farmers’ markets play an increasingly important role in the economic impact of a community and increasing the sales revenues of B.C. producers.
In Nelson, there are plenty of markets for local farmers to sell their products, including the Cottonwood Market, Wednesday market on Baker Street during the summer and MarketFest.
The West Kootenay EcoSociety has also organized Winter Markets in Nelson. The next market is March 25 at Hart Hall (501 Carbonate St.) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All of the products that will be on offer are hand-made locally so you know you are supporting the local economy when you shop at these markets
The Buy Local program has provided $356,565 in funding to farmers’ markets all over the province since 2012 to support food security in B.C. and help local businesses grow and thrive in the competitive agrifood industry. Farmers’ markets allow British Columbians to support B.C.’s farmers and eat local all year.
The B.C. government has committed $14 million to the Buy Local Program since 2012, including $6 million over the next three years announced in Balanced Budget 2017. Approximately 200 B.C. agrifood and seafood companies have expanded their reach and sales in communities throughout B.C. since the program began, with the $8 million of funding accessed to date resulting in $29 million in investments through matching funds.
The B.C. government’s Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan supports the building of domestic markets and maintaining a secure food supply. The plan is a component of the BC Jobs Plan, and the roadmap to leading the agrifoods sector to becoming a $15-billion-a-year industry by 2020.
The provincial government’s Buy Local program is administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia. Applications are available at: http://iafbc.ca/funding-opportunities/buy-local/
