Shop your local farmers market. Online.

Spring still comes with hope and an abundance of fresh produce, thanks to new government support for BC residents to shop farmers markets online.

British Columbians can find a farmers market near them and see which markets have launched online operations in the weeks and months ahead at bcfarmersmarkettrail.com

“It’s important to support your community and each other during this time of uncertainty, and a virtual shopping trip to a farmers market is an easy way to get the groceries on your list and to Buy BC, while ensuring physical distancing measures are being followed,” said Lana Popham, BC Minister of Agriculture.

“Moving farmers markets online will help ensure the health and safety of vendors and consumers, while still providing the same fresh and local food that families all over the province count on.”

The BC government is providing $55,000 to the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets to cover fees for individual farmers markets to join the online platform and set up their digital market store presence. Each participating farmers market will create its own virtual market store to best serve its communities.

With a membership boasting 145, the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets play a key role in many communities’ food supply.

“The critical importance and resiliency of local food and farmers has never been clearer than now,” said Heather O’Hara, the association’s executive director. “BC farmers markets are an essential retail sales channel for British Columbians to access local food and sustain the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and food processors across our province.”

The funding is part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Buy BC program. Buy BC helps farmers, ranchers and producers market their products as locally grown, raised, harvested or produced, making it easy for British Columbians to Buy BC.