AITC funding in limbo

The province has missed a deadline to fund the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Program, an initiative of the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation.

AITC had asked the province for a response by May 10 so it could make arrangements with farmers and prepare to roll out the program when a new school year begins this fall.

While the province expanded the agriculture ministry’s budget this year, including funding for local purchasing programs, it has yet to find the $3.5 million in funding AITC requested.

The misstep jeopardizes the future of a program that supplies hundreds of students across BC with local produce.

BC agriculture minister Lana Popham came under fire in the legislature on May 11 for missing the deadline, with Opposition MLAs questioning her priorities.

“Can she please explain why her government is eliminating funding for a program that has provided half a million students with fresh BC fruits, vegetables and milk?” Abbotsford West MLA Mike de Jong asked.

Delta South MLA and agriculture critic Ian Paton noted in a press release that farmers also stand to lose.

“Why would the minister abandon a program that not only supports students, but farmers as well?” he asked. “More than 1,000 BC farmers stand to lose income from growing and providing products for this important initiative. It is a win-win for everyone involved, yet the minister hasn’t been in a hurry to act to save it.”

Popham acknowledged the importance of the program but noted that funding to date has been from the BC Ministry of Health. She indicated that the next round of funding would be through Feed BC.

The mandate letter she received last fall outlined partnerships with the BC Ministry of Education to expand Feed BC to primary and secondary schools.

“We will be working together with the association and the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to look at how a program can continue,” she told the legislature.

All content on this website is copyrighted, and cannot be republished or reproduced without permission.

4 hours ago

A draft update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle is now open for public comment until June 12. The code, one of 14 animal care codes developed and maintained by the National Farm Animal Care Council, is undergoing a routine 10-year review. "Your feedback will help shape the industry's guide to cattle welfare for the next decade," says Canadian Cattle Association policy manager Jessica Radau, urging producers to weigh in. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/58a3u9fz.

#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

View Comments

Likes: 2
Shares: 0
Comments: 1

Comment on Facebook

I sat in the webinar yesterday by the Canadian Cattle Association. My initial concern was that this would be another "play" into the government's hands. It has been worked on by people that are actually in the Beef industry from Cow calf to feedlot. The thrust is an update of the 2013 Code of Practice which was reviewed in 2018. The changes are more a move from "left to the producers discretion" to clearer directions regarding pain management, proper transport of animals which are impaired and keeping cattle in in good condition. Much of what is recommended is what producers who care about animal husbandry already do. The important part is to GIVE THEM FEEDBACK good, bad or otherwise. The document is about 60 pages long, and I ran it through CHAT to see what had been changed. It is important to understand that the PUBLIC is invited to comment on the draft not just producers. Think about it... do you really want the public influencing how you manage your cattle. If you think that this is just one of those things, I have been following Bill 22 in Alberta which will grant the SPCA a proactive roll in entering farms and checking on animals. When I asked CHAT how the new bill relates to the Cattle Code, it came back that the Code although not a regulation will be able to be used as a guide by producers for backup in dealing with the SPCA regarding cattle conditions, sick animal handling etc. Take the time.... Go onto the Canadian Cattle Association website and speak to those parts that you wish to input.

1 day ago

According to the BC River Forecast Centre, the Okanagan snowpack stood at just 58% of normal on April 1 — the lowest reading since measurements began in 1980 — raising concerns about drought conditions in the region this summer. The rest of the province sits at 92% of normal.

#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

Likes: 3
Shares: 0
Comments: 0

2 days ago

At her first AGM as executive director of BC Meats, held Saturday in Abbotsford, Jennifer Busmann spoke about her strong ties to agriculture and her optimism for the organization's future. Busmann has cattle of her own and came to the role with existing relationships with members and the board of directors that helped her feel integrated from the start. She stepped into the position in Februa#BCAg#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

Likes: 6
Shares: 0
Comments: 0

4 days ago

Shannon Wiggins of Headwind Farm in North Saanich is this year's Mary Forstbauer Grant recipient from the BC Association of Farmers Markets. The $500 grant will help Wiggins expand her plot at Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, growing more storage crops to extend her harvest season. Wiggins credits farmers markets with inspiring her own farming journey and commitment to building community through food. Congratulations!

tinyurl.com/45bdd #BCAg#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

Likes: 46
Shares: 2
Comments: 3

Wahoo! Congrats Shannon! I love your produce. Can’t wait for the radishes 🫜

Congratulations!

Well done!! 🩷🩷🩷

6 days ago

New farmers can avoid costly mistakes by learning from those who've been there. At a Young Agrarians mixer in Penticton, five BC farmers shared hard-won lessons on pricing, pivoting, relationships and burnout. From coyote losses to business burnout, their message was clear: set prices that reflect true costs, make decisions quickly and don't let farming define your worth. Myrna Stark Leader's story appears in our April e-edition, now available to view online at: tinyurl #BCAg2uw53vvm

#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

Likes: 15
Shares: 0
Comments: 0