About Us
Mission Statement
Background
Purposes
Annual General Meeting
Mission Statement
To promote farmers' markets in B.C.
Background
In late 1999, the Kamloops and Salmon Arm Farmers' Markets
decided to sponsor a conference for all farmers' markets in BC,
which was held in March 2000. A goal was set to form an
association that would represent all the province's farmers'
markets. At the conference a steering committee was appointed and
over the next several months the Association was incorporated
under NO. S-42371.
The BC Association of Farmers' markets represents over 65
markets in the Province. There are a number of sound business
reasons for joining the Association and for more information,
please see the section on Membership Benefits.
Over the years, the Association has "come a long
way." The following list of accomplishments and activities of
the BCAFM will provide you with more reasons to join us. In a
nutshell, we're proud to announce the following accomplishments:
- Partnered with Tourism British Columbia to have the BC
farmers markets listed on the Hello BC web page at www.hellobc.com.
- Developed and distributed over 70,000 copies of the 2007
Farmers' Market guide for the consumer listing all farmers
markets with their location, date and time of their market
- Implemented the 2007 BC Farmers' Market Food and Nutrition
Coupon Program. This program was a pilot and has just
completed. We are waiting for the final report. To date we
know that the program was successful in that $35,000 in
coupons was distributed to low income families with children
around BC. One town in each of the five health regions in the
province received $7000. The redemption rate was higher that
anticipated and Farmers Markets were highlighted around the
province because of this program. More information about the
program can be found at www.bcfarmersmarket.org/web/fmncp.htm.
- Hired a Special Projects Coordinator who has and will
continue to:
- link BCAFM with the Eat BC program
- expand the Chefs Shop at Farmers' Markets program
- Continuing to work with the Province’s BC150 Program to
allow member markets the opportunity to secure funding for
organizing and executing BC 150 celebrations at their market
in 2008. A BC 150 Coordinator has been hired to work with the
markets to offer guidance. Each market will also receive
promotional materials and a banner showcasing BC150 years in
Agriculture.
- Continuing to revamping and updating the BCAFM website at www.bcfarmersmarket.org.
This process is now underway and will be ongoing.
- Completed an economic impact study of farmers’ markets in
summer 2006 with David Connell at UNBC who received IAF
funding through BCAFM to study the economic impact of farmers
markets in BC. His report has been filed and can be viewed at www.unbc.ca/planning/localfood/reports.html
- Worked with a group of dedicated Douglas College Students
who created a 2007 marketing plan for BCAFM.
- Developed a list-serve for managers and boards of
directors.
- Created an online quarterly newsletter "Market
Matters."
- Held meetings in Spring 2007 with Larry Copeland,
Director,Food Protection Services BC Centre For Disease
Control and health officers from all five health regions. At
this meeting we worked together to create Guidelines for the
sale of low risk foods at temporary food markets. www.bcfarmersmarket.org/web/pdf/foodsaleguidelines07.pdf
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Purposes
The British Columbia Association of Farmers Markets was founded
in 2000 as a response to a greater need for networking and
communication between Farmers Markets in British Columbia.
The purposes of the society are:
- to support British Columbia producers of agricultural
products, food products, and crafts;
- to promote, educate, encourage, develop and support farmers'
markets in the communities of BC;
- to host an annual conference for the members and associate
members;
- to represent the farmers' markets of BC in all matters in
which they are generally interested; and
- to advocate to industry, government, agencies, commissions
and boards on matters which impact and interest the members.
We are run by an elected Board of
Directors, made up of members
of voting member markets.
Elections occur in March during our annual general meeting and
conference. Any interested member of a member market is encouraged
to run for the Board.
Interested in becoming a member? Click
here to download our membership form 
To view & print PDF files you need the
free Acrobat Reader.
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Annual General Meeting
Information on this year's AGM and
Conference
Membership Benefits
Types of Membership
Membership Info Form
Directors List
Members List
Constitution & Bylaws
Logo downloads
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