Resiliency through the COVID-19 pandemic has become the hallmark of B.C.’s farmers, producers and processors.

Farmers’ markets in the province are receiving funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia to help cover the costs to expand local food and beverage sales, and operate during emergencies.

Commercial livestock producers in British Columbia affected by the recent floods are receiving support to buy immediate emergency supplies of forage food to keep their animals fed and healthy.

Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture Food and Fisheries, has released the following statement in response to the BC Milk Marketing Board’s decision to suspend the licence of Cedar Valley Farms over allegations the farm violated the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle:

Food and beverage producers and processers in the province can now apply for the next round of Buy BC funding to help make it easier for British Columbians to identify and choose products that are made in B.C.

New Raspberry Replant Program funding will make growers in B.C. more competitive, while increasing the bounty of raspberries in the province for fruit lovers.

Severinski Farms in Pitt Meadows is being honoured with a Century Farm and Ranch Award to celebrate the entrepreneurship of one family that has supplied dairy products to the neighbouring communities for more than a century.

B.C.’s ranchers can access up to $20 million to help with extraordinary expenses they incur for feed, shelter, animal health and safety, and the transportation of their livestock as a result of this year’s wildfires and drought.

Fresh fruit from the Okanagan and Creston Valley will continue to be on the tables of British Columbians this year, as support for work camp accommodations for seasonal fruit pickers has been extended through the 2021 harvest season.