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B.C. government provides $300,000 in funding to support e-commerce activities

The B.C. government is providing $300,000 in funding to support industry-led Buy BC e-commerce activities. The funding is to help the province’s farmers and food and beverage processors overcome some lost sales during the COVID-19 pandemic by moving their products online.

The program provides financial support to access and develop websites that accommodate online sales and helps cover the costs of marketing and shipping products to consumers throughout the province.

The funding is available to B.C. farmers, and food and beverage processors of all sizes, but to be eligible an applicant must have at least two years of business revenues, be licensed to do business in B.C. and be growing or processing one or more products in the province. Each successful applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000.

“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, in a released statement. “Moving to online sales gives customers the opportunity to continue to Buy BC and enjoy fresh food, while supporting families in our communities.”

“As a farmer, I’ve felt the impact of these uncertain times,” said Cammy Lockwood of Lockwood Farms, in the government’s original announcement. “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.”

Online applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, from May 15 to May 29, or when the funding is fully subscribed.

The funding is under the Ministry of Agriculture’s Buy BC Partnership Program. It helps farmers, ranchers and food and beverage processors market their products as locally grown, raised, harvested or produced, making it easy for British Columbians to Buy BC.

Today’s announcement follows an earlier announcement in March where the B.C. government provided $55,000 to The B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) to help farmers’ markets move online. BCAFM’s BC Farmers Market Online is one platform that will allow customers to find their local market and shop online.