The BC Government has announced a new funding program geared towards helping local farmers and food processors overcome lost sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will further enable consumers to continue to source local products through Buy BC.
The Province will be allocating $300,000 towards supporting industry-led e-commerce activities. The Buy BC e-commerce initiative will allow more local products to be moved online and sold digitally.
According to the government, the funding falls under the Ministry of Agriculture’s Buy BC Partnership Program – a program that helps farmers, ranchers and food and beverage processors market their products as locally grown, raised, harvested or produced.
The sole intention of Buy BC is to make it easy for British Columbians to do just that, purchase locally.
“British Columbians have come together during these difficult times and continue to show their strength and support for each other. With the new Buy BC e-commerce funding, farmers and food and beverage processors can create a new avenue to sell their products directly to consumers all over the province, while maintaining physical distancing and safe practices,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “Moving to online sales gives customers the opportunity to continue to Buy BC and enjoy fresh food, while supporting families in our communities.”
The new funding will specifically provide financial support for organizations to access and develop websites that accommodate online sales, while also helping to cover costs of marketing and shipping products to consumers throughout the province.
“As a farmer, I’ve felt the impact of these uncertain times,” said Cammy Lockwood, Lockwood Farms. “The need to transition to online sales is necessary as farmers can’t rely on traditional methods to get their products to customers, and customers need a way to be able to access the local goods they depend on to feed their families. The support the Buy BC e-commerce funding is providing to help move online, market and get products to consumers is greatly appreciated, especially since this is a very busy season for farmers.”
Farmers and food and beverage processors in BC can apply online between May 15 and May 29. The applications for government funding will be on a first-come, first-served basis until all of the $300,000 aid is fully subscribed.
Application details can be found here.
Back in March, the provincial government also allocated funds to the BC Association of Farmers Markets to help individual vendors to sell produce online as well.
Graham Cox
