The farming industry in British Columbia is a source of local agrifood, providing diverse, fresh and great tasting products to communities all over the province.

The B.C. government’s Buy Local program is providing six companies in the province’s farming sector with up to a combined total of $65,212 in funding to promote their products through buy local initiatives such as traditional print advertising and participating in tradeshows.

As a third generation dairy farm, Donia Farms is owned and operated by the Van Keulen family, who are repeat recipients of Buy Local funding. The farm is receiving up to $33,337.50 for advertising, social media campaigns and website updates to promote their grass-fed milk to consumers all over British Columbia.

The Van Keulens' passion is shared in their products, keeping the principles of hard work, integrity, and respect for land and animals at the heart of their daily work. With support from the B.C. government, operations such as Donia Farms are able to thrive and grow in the industry.

The Buy Local program has provided over $1.5 million in funding to the B.C. farming industry since 2012 to support food security in B.C. and help local businesses grow and thrive in the competitive agrifood market.

The B.C. government has committed $14 million to the Buy Local Program since 2012, including $6 million over the next three years announced in Balanced Budget 2017. Approximately 200 B.C. agrifood and seafood companies have expanded their reach and sales in communities throughout B.C. since the program began, with the $8 million of funding accessed to date resulting in $29 million in investments through matching funds.

The B.C. government's Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan supports the building of domestic markets and maintaining a secure food supply. The Plan is a component of the BC Jobs Plan, and the roadmap to leading the agrifoods sector to becoming a $15-billion-a-year industry by 2020.

The provincial government's Buy Local program is administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia. Applications are available at: http://iafbc.ca/funding-opportunities/buy-local/

Quotes:

Marvin Hunt, Surrey-Panorama MLA –

“Donia Farms has been an important part of this community for many years with the tradition of farming being passed down from generation to generation. The support from the Buy Local program allows for families like the Van Keulens to stand out in a competitive market and do what they love while strengthening ties with the community.”

David Van Keulen, Donia Farms –

“Without the support of the Buy Local program we would have had a hard time positioning ourselves in the market against large brands that are in the dairy business.”

Learn More:

British Columbia Grapegrowers' Association: http://www.grapegrowers.bc.ca/

Donia Farms Foods: http://doniafarms.com/

Harker's Organics: http://harkersorganics.com/

Springford Farm: http://www.springfordfarm.com/

Thoughtful Solutions/Skeena Valley CSA: http://www.skeenavalleycsa.com/skeenavalleycsa.com/Home_page.html

Buy Local Program: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/market-development-and-trade/bc-buy-local-program