FarmFolk CityFolk: Local Food is the Height of Good Taste

“Your life becomes richer when you find out more about local food. It tastes better, it’s more nutritious, and you’re supporting a local, sustainable economy.” – Nicholas Scapillati, executive director of FarmFolk CityFolk.

Vancouver-based not-for-profit society FarmFolk CityFolk has spent 20 years breathing new life into BC’s local food culture; supporting growers and producers, and engaging communities by celebrating local food.

“Our mandate is to build a local sustainable food system,” explains executive director Nicholas Scapillati. “We do that through some activism, but mostly through supporting sustainable agriculture. That means we’re working with businesses, which is where we have a lot of affinity with Vancity.”

Vancity has provided FarmFolk CityFolk with grant and partnership support over the years. “Together we created a local food microloan fund is the first of its kind in Canada,” says Nicholas. “Vancity put up the capital, then we approached farmers and processors we knew to see if they needed a boost for their business. If they’re able to pay off their loan, FarmFolk CityFolk will give them their interest back. In a year and a half we’ve made 14 loans, and two of our recipients have already paid their loans back.”