A report to Metro Vancouver’s regional planning committee on June 12 highlights just how much food moves through the Lower Mainland. Perhaps not surprising, given that Vancouver is a port city, is the dominant position of international food exports – close to 28 million tonnes. Cereal grains and oil seeds dominate the shipments, at nearly …
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Mexico sticks with BC
Mexico’s decision to withhold seasonal workers from Canada will have a minimal effect on BC farms, according to both the province and industry. The decision was widely reported on June 15, and affects workers arriving in Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. Mexico quickly issued a clarification that the measure only affects farms where …
Agriculture first for support
Close to three-quarters of BC residents believe agri-food companies should be first in line for government assistance to help them weather the effects of COVID-19, according to a survey market research firm Research Co. conducted in partnership with Glacier Media. “Across the province, the highest level of support for government assistance is observed for agri-food …
Kelowna readies exclusion bid
Kelowna wants the Agricultural Land Commission to approve the exclusion of 40 acres for the purposes of building a new and expanded regional transit facility at 4690 Highway 97 North, adjacent to UBC Okanagan. “The expansion would allow for increased transit service in order to meet long-term transit demand in the Central Okanagan,” says the …
Record nutrition coupon funding
This week marks the start of another season for the BC farmers’ market nutrition coupon program, which is being backed by nearly $1.9 million in provincial funding this year – a new record. BC health minister Adrian Dix announced the funding on June 5. “It is so important to ensure the farmers’ market is everyone’s …
Province boosts online grants
Overwhelming demand for provincial funding to support online sales activities has led the province to add $250,000 to e-commerce grants provided as part of the Buy BC program. The program reached capacity in just two business days after applications began being accepted on May 15. Applications continued to pour in, however, as the original deadline …