BC Association of Farmers' Markets

In our Province, a new government will soon be elected. 

I urge you to speak with your local candidates now and after the election and remind them that British Columbia’s farmers’ markets are an important part of BC agriculture and the local economy. Please use the press release that follows.

Did you know that the economic impact of farmers’ markets in British Columbia is over $118.5 million and nationally it is $3.09 billion!  So, please remind you local MLA’s to support BC’s farmers’ markets.  Let’s get the word out about the economic value of this sector and its importance to our economy.   It’s our time to thrive!

Happy Selling!

Mary Forstbauer, President of BCAFM

For Immediate Release

                                            Growing Farmers’ Market Economic Impact
                                                BC Farmers’ Markets - A Sleeping Giant

Vancouver, BC – With $800,000 funding offered by the federal government through Western Economic Diversification (WED) for a proposal submitted by the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM), there is a valuable opportunity to increase the economic impact of BC farmers markets by over $90 million over the next three years.

“The funding is contingent, however, on matching funding from the BC government.
The BCAFM is poised to increase the economics impact of farmers market, riding the wave of enthusiasm of the local foods movement’’ said Mary Forstbauer, president of the BCAFM.

The BCAFM will be attending the BC Agriculture Council three-party agriculture debate to be held April 25 in Delta to voice concern for the lagging provincial support for one of the fastest growing sectors in BC.

The results of the University of Northern BC 2006 study revealed that the 105 farmers markets in BC contribute over $118 million to local economies. A Farmers’ Market Canada study in 2008 revealed that farmers’ market have an economic impact of $3.09 billion nationally.

With farmers markets growing at a national rate of up to 30% per year, there is strong indication that strategic, targeted support can bring even greater growth to this sector.

With a population of 4.1 million it’s remarkable that farmers’ markets receive one million visitors each year supporting local farmers and spending BC dollars locally.

Among Canadian provinces, there is a clear indication that those with strong provincial associations to assist with the strategic development of provincial farmers markets show the best results in long-term growth of this sector.

Ontario and Alberta are among the greatest examples, where farmers markets have very strong (and growing) public and industry support: Alberta’s sales at provincial farmers markets top $230 million with a provincial population of only 3.2 million and sales four times greater than BC’s sales, and Ontario’s exceed $700 million annually 11 times more sales than BC with a population only 3.5 times that of BC.

Key outcomes include a doubling of BC farmers markets’ current economic impact of $118 million to over $200 million by 2013, more self-sufficient farmers markets, increased small business niche food producers and processors, a sustainable farmers market association and significantly higher public awareness of BC foods, climate change, farm products and farmers markets.

The Ontario government’s mandate when it comes to local food is simple: “That every Ontarian will have Ontario-grown food on their dinner table”. This mandate to support locally grown food is linked to Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan as a strategy for reducing foodmiles and greenhouse gas emissions related to food imports, and is supported by a $4 million budget line going directly to support Ontario’s farmers markets and farm-direct sales venues.

The total budget for this multi-year initiative is $1.8 million. WED is prepared to contribute up to half of the budget, potentially via a Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA).

In a recent press release by WEPA, Minister of State Lynne Yelich states “that current WEPA agreements will work towards stimulating western economies at a time when families and communities are facing serious challenges with the global economic slowdown.” The provincial government has promised $25 million towards the Federal/Provincial partnership. Farmers’ markets strengthen local economies across BC with over 105 communities hosting markets contributing to vibrant and sustainable communities.

Since 2001, the BCAFM represents and supports the development of over 80 of BC’s farmers markets. The BCAFM has a proven success track record.   A sampling of our achievements include:
•    Implementing a dynamic strategic plan (funded through the Investment Agriculture Foundation)
•    Partnering with five regional health authorities and the FoodSafe Secretariat to create provincial food safety guidelines for farmers markets
•    Launching the nationally recognized and successful BC Farmers Markets Nutrition and Coupon Program (funded through the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance), benefiting hundreds of low-income families, farmers and markets across the province and improving the health of hundreds of people.
Over the past nine years, the number of farmers markets in BC has increased from 60 to over 100. Today’s farmers’ markets will become the supermarkets of tomorrow!

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Contact:
Elizabeth Quinn BCAFM Manager
604-734-9797