Vancity events for local and organic food businesses

Vancity supports a number of organizations promoting local, natural and organic food through learning, networking, resources and events.  Here are some of the annual events that we support.

BC Association of Farmers’ Markets

Vancity sponsors the annual conference of Farmers’ Markets throughout BC.  This event provides an opportunity for the farmers’ markets to come together to share ideas and improve their operations.  To become a member of the association, vendors at a local market must make, bake or grow the products and then sell them at the market.  Within the Vancity area of service, there are over 30 markets with membership of the Association.

Certified Organic Association of BC (COABC)

Vancity supports COABC, an association that assists the organic community in BC through production related education and knowledge sharing.  COABC produces a quarterly publication, the BC Organic Grower, holds an annual conference and engages its members in advancing certified organic producers and processors. 

FarmFolk CityFolk – FarmFolk CityFolk is a not for profit society working to cultivate a local, sustainable food system. Their projects provide access to and protection of farmland; support local growers and producers; and engage communities in the celebration of local. Each year FarmFolk CityFolk puts on the Feast of Fields, supporting their work to cultivate local, sustainable food systems across British Columbia. Profits from the events support the Local Food Microloan Program. FFCF also provides variety of other resources to help local food businesses and farmers grow and develop.

Feeding Growth – Vancity is partners with the UBC Centre for Sustainable Food Systems and Fluid Creative to produce Feeding Growth, an initiative that supports progressive, BC-based food businesses and entrepreneurs - nurturing the growth of the local food processing sector.

ClimateSmart
Vancity supported the development of the ClimateSmart program which provides training, tools and technical assistance to organizations on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a group-training format, ClimateSmart:

• Teaches you how to map your emission sources.
• Shows you how to collect emissions data and calculate your carbon footprint.
• Helps you identify the best greenhouse gas reduction opportunities and estimate cost savings.
• Teaches you about carbon offsets and becoming carbon neutral.
• Demonstrates how you can tell the world about what your organization is doing.

Vancity supports food-related businesses to participate ClimateSmart by providing scholarships. Find out more about the program and how to apply for scholarships to reduce your business’s emissions