Farmers Appreciation Week
BC Farmers’ Markets Celebrate Local Farmers - September 8 - 15
Join the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) September 8th – 15th as they proudly celebrate BC farmers during the 5th annual Farmers Appreciation Week. From corn roasts to fall fairs, children’s activities, entertainment, giveaways, and special guests, the public is invited to celebrate at over 35 special events at farmers’ markets across BC during Farmers Appreciation Week.
This year also marks the return of the Ode to A Farmer contest. British Columbians are invited to show their appreciation for local farmers in the form of a poem for a chance to win $150 to spend at their favourite BC farmers’ market. Six winners will be selected, a grand prize winner ($150) plus a winning poem in each region of BC ($50). Submissions will be accepted online or by mail until Sunday, September 7th at 11:59pm.
“BC farmers are our best source for fresh, healthy, local food,” says Jon Bell, BCAFM President. “Farmers Appreciation Week gives the BCAFM and consumers an opportunity to express our gratitude and recognize the thousands of BC farmers contributing to our health, our communities and our economy.”
“British Columbians are becoming increasingly passionate about buying local, fresh, in season goods,” explains Elizabeth Quinn, BCAFM Executive Director. “Farmers Appreciation Week is an annual time to appreciate our farmers for growing fresh food close to home.”
British Columbians can demonstrate support for BC farmers and ranchers by choosing local produce during the week- wine, cheese, fruits, vegetables and meat at the farmers’ market, farm stand, or retail outlets.
The BCAFM is a not-for-profit association that represents over 125 farmers’ markets across the province and works to support, develop and promote farmers’ markets in all regions of BC. For more information on the BCAFM or to find a farmers’ market near you, visit www.bcfarmersmarket.org.
Follow Farmers Appreciation Week online:
Twitter: @BCFarmersMarket
Facebook: facebook.com/BCAFM
Event hashtag #BCfarmersweek
Bcfarmersmarket.org
BC Farmers Markets events calendar
Quick Facts:
Nearly 20,000 farms operate in BC, 98% of those are family farms (Statistics Canada, 2011)
BC’s agrifood industry is the most diverse in Canada with over 200 agricultural products (BC
Ministry of Agriculture, 2011)
BC is home to over 125 farmers’ markets. Find one nearby at www.bcfarmersmarket.org
Primary agriculture in B.C generated $2.8 billion in farm cash receipts (BC Ministry of
Agriculture, 2013)
Farmers’ markets in BC have continued to grow in number, producing 147% more sales in 2012 than 2006, delivering $170+million total economic benefits (Connell, 2012)
B.C. continues to have the oldest farm operators among the provinces with an average age of 55.7 years. Only 5.4% of BC farm operators are under 35 years (Statistics Canada, 2011)
In total, 22.9% of the farm population in British Columbia live in population centres, the largest
proportion among the provinces (Statistics Canada, 2011)
British Columbia has the highest share of female farm operators in the country at 37 per cent
B.C. producers led the nation in sales of blueberries, sweet cherries, raspberries, pears, apricots,Brussels sprouts and rhubarb in 2012 (BC Ministry of Agriculture, 2013)
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