The fair and exhibition season has started, and British Columbians are invited to check out local goods and participate in a fun social media contest showcasing Buy BC.

“Fairs and exhibitions are putting B.C. on display this summer, to connect British Columbians to all the products being grown, raised, processed and produced in our province,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “By using the hashtag #BuyBC, people can proudly show the world, through the power of social media, the diverse and unique products coming from B.C., and connect them to the people who make our agricultural industry sector so amazing.”

Fairgoers will be encouraged to visit Buy BC-themed exhibits at participating fairs to learn more about the importance of supporting local producers and farmers, and enter the contest by posting photos to social media with the hashtags #BCFairs and #BuyBC.

All eligible posts will be entered into the contest. A winner will be announced for each of the participating fairs.

“Supporting local farmers and agricultural businesses around the province is at the heart of what we do as an association, and we’re pleased to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture to bring the Buy BC message to thousands of fair attendees this year,” said Tom Harter, president, BC Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions. “As more consumers become better connected to where their food comes from, this campaign will be a great platform to educate fairgoers on the important role agriculture plays in almost everything that goes on the dinner table.”

The Ministry of Agriculture is providing the BC Association of Agriculture Fairs and Exhibitions with $25,000 to run the social media contest, and support each participating fair with its ability to deliver a Buy BC campaign. The fairs with the most creative Buy BC campaign will be awarded a cash prize in October, after the fair and exhibition season ends.

Earlier this summer, Popham announced the Buy BC Partnership Program at the Moss Street Market in Victoria. The program includes a new Buy BC logo, logo licensing agreements, as well as a cost-shared marketing program for B.C.’s fairs and markets, producers and processors and industry associations, with $2 million in funding per year, over the next three years. Bringing back the Buy BC Partnership Program to help local producers market their products is one of the Minister of Agriculture’s mandate commitments.

Learn More:

For more information on participating fairs and exhibitions and the official contest rules, visit: https://bcfairs.ca/buybc/  

Fairs and Exhibition guide: https://bcfairs.ca/

Buy BC News Release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/17488