Indigenous farmers, communities and governments can access new funding to help strengthen food security and sovereignty, and increase Indigenous participation in B.C.’s agriculture and food sectors.

“The new Indigenous Food Pathways program will help ensure that Indigenous Peoples, entrepreneurs and communities in British Columbia have the resources they need to succeed and grow in the sector,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Our government is so pleased to partner with the Government of British Columbia, through our Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreement, to deliver this important program.”

The new Indigenous Food Pathways program is supporting new projects, enhancing existing programs and improving Indigenous-led operations in the agriculture and food sector. Projects can receive as much as $200,000 from the governments of Canada and British Columbia.

 “Supporting Indigenous communities as they work toward food security, food sovereignty and economic development goals is important, and we will continue to work together to get the support and tools they require to be successful,” said Lana Popham, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food. “This program will help build more resilient food systems in Indigenous communities and support growing Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses and economies around B.C.”

The program could support food and agriculture through projects such as micro-grants to Indigenous applicants interested in developing food and agriculture businesses, expanding successful Indigenous-led training programs and other initiatives to address gaps affecting Indigenous participation in the food and agriculture sectors.

The Province is also launching a free service to support Indigenous farmers, communities and governments in finding information and resources to start or expand work toward food security, food sovereignty and participation in the food and agriculture sectors. The B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service will connect people to existing programs, services and funding opportunities to help Indigenous-led businesses and projects meet their goals for success with food sovereignty and food security.

Funding for the Indigenous Food Pathways program and B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service is provided through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year (April 1, 2023, until March 31, 2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resilience of the agriculture, agri-food and agriculture‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

Learn More:

Indigenous Food Pathways program:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/indigenous-food-pathways-program

B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/bc-indigenous-pathfinder-service

Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership Program:
https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/initiatives/sustainable-canadian-agricultural-partnership