Program Announcement
The Buy BC Partnership Program is one of the key elements of the enhanced Buy BC Program, and is administered on behalf of the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Foods and Fisheries by IAF.
The Program includes a licensing component and a cost-shared funding component. It is designed to increase the competitiveness of B.C.’s agri-food and seafood industry in the domestic market by supporting local marketing efforts and the use of the Buy BC brand.
Applicants to the 2021-22 Buy BC Partnership Program (cost-shared funding component) were notified by email of funding decisions on May 21, 2021. Please remember to check your junk folders. There was an overwhelming response to this popular program, with almost 200 applications submitted; 69 applicants have been successful and we are pleased to be working with them to execute their projects. If you would like to discuss your application, whether successful or not, please contact buybc@iafbc.ca.
Program Goals
The Buy BC Partnership Program aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Enable industry to undertake sector or product specific Buy BC marketing activities to increase local market share, product sales and consumer awareness;
- Ensure consumers can easily identify B.C. agri-food and seafood products at the point of sale;
- Build and maintain Buy BC brand recognition; and,
- Build a greater awareness of, and demand for, local food and beverage products across the province.
How it Works
The Buy BC Partnership Program is comprised of two components: Buy BC logo licensing and Buy BC cost-shared funding.
Buy BC Logo Licensing
Buy BC logo licensing provides industry with the opportunity to apply for authorization to use the Logo through an Authorized Use Agreement or Consent to Use Form.
The Authorized Use Agreement is granted through a Certification Application and enables B.C. primary agriculture and seafood producers; agriculture, food and beverage, and seafood processors and cooperatives that meet the certification requirements to use the Buy BC logo on their product labels and marketing/ communications materials.
Consent to Use is granted through a Marketing Application and enables B.C. industry associations, boards and councils; agriculture fairs and farmers’ markets; agriculture, food and beverage, and seafood retailers, wholesalers, and distributors; and other non-profit agriculture, food and beverage, and seafood organizations that meet the certification requirements to use the Buy BC on their marketing/communications materials.
Buy BC Cost-Shared Funding
Once an applicant has been approved for a Buy BC logo license, they can apply for funding to help them undertake sector and/or product specific Buy BC marketing and promotional activities across the province. All organizations need to register themselves through IAF’s new online portal and complete an eligibility screening before gaining access to the program application forms.
Applications for Buy BC cost-shared funding are being accepted until April 7, 2021, with successful projects starting on June 1.
Important: Organizations that would like to apply for Buy BC cost-shared funding must first apply and be approved for a Buy BC Logo License.
Who's Eligible?
The Buy BC Partnership Program helps B.C.-based companies and organizations carry out enhanced marketing and promotion by using the Buy BC brand.
Eligible for Buy BC Logo License
Eligible for Cost-Shared Funding
Primary Agriculture and Seafood Producers
Agriculture, Food and Beverage, and Seafood Processors or Cooperatives
Industry Associations, Boards, Councils
Agriculture Fairs and Farmers’ Markets
Agriculture, Food and Beverage, and Seafood Retailers, Wholesalers, or Distributors
Food Hubs and Other Processing Facilities
Non-profit Social Enterprises
Note: Primary Agriculture and Seafood Producers includes growers, harvesters, ranchers and those producing fresh food, beverage, or agricultural and seafood products which are 100% grown, caught, or raised in B.C.
Ready to Apply?
Resources
Please note: the Government of BC may, from time to time, give instructions to IAF in relation to the delivery and administration of this program. IAF must and will comply with those instructions.
Please visit the BC Government’s Buy BC website for information on other local marketing resources and initiatives.