BC Agri-food & Seafood Market Development Program

All applicants must have a head office in B.C. or be entitled (including being appropriately registered, licensed or certified, as appropriate) to do business in B.C.

Marketing Skills Training

Supporting the ability of permanent marketing staff within an eligible organization to complete eligible marketing skills training courses at qualified educational institutions.

Market Information & Research

Identifying, analyzing and understanding current and emerging market opportunities in B.C., across Canada and internationally by:

(A) contracting pre-qualified consultants to conduct new market research studies (i.e. conducting primary market research and/or analyzing secondary market research to provide customized market intelligence); and/or,

(B) purchasing existing market information or market research studies from qualified market research firms (i.e. existing secondary market research).

Market Development Planning

Contracting pre-qualified consultants to develop marketing plans, export plans or branding strategies for markets in B.C., across Canada or internationally.

Export Market Development Activities and Export-Focused Marketing Collateral and Promotional Tools

Undertaking interprovincial*/international market development activities such as tradeshows, food fairs, and sales exhibitions; trade missions and trade advocacy events; market access activities; buyers’ meetings/networking events; and in-store promotions/demonstrations; and, designing, developing, translating, printing/producing marketing collateral and promotional tools to promote specific agrifood/seafood products in B.C.’s export markets.

*Please note that seafood processors/cooperatives/industry associations are not eligible for cost-shared funding support for interprovincial-focused market development activities

The following BC-based applicants are eligible to receive cost-shared funding:

• primary agriculture producer*;
• agriculture, food and beverage, and/or seafood processor**;
• agriculture, food and beverage cooperative***;
• recognized agriculture, food and beverage and or seafood industry association, board, or council****;

To be considered for cost-shared funding, an eligible applicant must:

• have a head office in B.C. or be entitled (including being appropriately registered, licensed or certified, as appropriate) to do business in B.C.;
• be selling or marketing a product that is grown or processed***** in B.C.;
• have the ability to provide, and commit to providing a minimum percentage of the total Project budget in cash, towards eligible Project costs as follows:
  • 50% for producers, processors and cooperatives;
  • 30% for industry associations, boards, or councils; and
• have total annual gross revenues (i.e. sales) of at least $30,000 for the two most recent consecutive years (only applies to producers, processors and cooperatives).

* Please note that while agriculture producers are eligible for support, seafood producers (e.g. fishers and harvesters) are not eligible.

** Processing food, beverage, or agricultural and seafood products which are processed and packaged in B.C. with more than 85% of the product’s main ingredients produced in BC (note: in cases where the main ingredients are not reasonably available in BC in sufficient quantities, the food must be processed and packaged entirely in B.C.

*** Producing fresh food, beverage, or agricultural products which are 100% grown or raised in B.C.

**** Industry associations, boards, or councils that represent B.C. agrifood and seafood sector businesses /organizations.

***** Food, beverage, agricultural or seafood products which are processed and packaged in B.C. with more than 85% of the product’s main ingredients produced in BC(note: in cases where the main ingredients are not reasonably available in BC in sufficient quantities, the food must be processed and packaged entirely in B.C.

Please see the full list of pre-qualified consultants

Please see the full list of eligible courses.

Cannabis is not currently eligible for cost-shared funding through the BCASMDP.  Once cannabis has been legalized and a sales and distribution system is operationalized, the eligibility of this product will be revisited by the Ministry of Agriculture and any changes to eligibility will be communicated through the Program website.

The following types of projects are NOT eligible for funding under this Program:

• The normal operations of a business or organization (i.e., hiring staff, holding a conference or annual meeting etc.) which are not intended to address the objectives of this program;
• Purchasing capital expenses (e.g., land, buildings, fences, equipment, computers, mobile phones, tools, packaging plate costs, seed, livestock);
• Website/IT systems upgrades, or building and implementing an e-commerce tool/site;
• Sponsorship (requesting funds to support or sponsor a third-party activity);
• Any costs related to providing product samples at a reduced cost or free;
• Social media such as Facebook and Twitter as stand-alone activities  (note: using social media to promote agrifood/seafood products is an eligible activity, if part of a broader marketing campaign);
• Cannabis-related marketing or promotional activities;
• Buying, starting or expanding a farm or business;
• Direct income support;
• Lobbying or influencing any level of government;
• Any activities that may be considered to denigrate other products, commodities or regions (e.g., farmed vs. wild salmon; organic vs. conventional agriculture); and
• Membership fees.

Projects where the intended target audience is non-English speaking may qualify for cost-sharing on Certified translation services for approved promotional materials and/or Certified interpretation services for approved market development activities. An estimate from a Certified translation/interpretation service should be included with your Application. The maximum cost-share for translation/interpretation services is $5,000.

Note:  A copy of the English and translated materials may be requested and must be available upon request.

In-kind contributions can be included as part of the budget, but they are not eligible for cost-shared funding.

First-Time Applicants:

First-time applicants who apply for cost-shared funding, are required to complete and submit multiple applications to IAF, including:

1. Part A (Eligibility Confirmation Form) which will be assessed by the Ministry to confirm the applicant’s eligibility for cost-shared funding;
2. Part B (Project Details Form) which will be reviewed by IAF’s Board of Directors to determine if the applicant’s proposed project and activities are approved for cost-shared funding.

Producers, processors and cooperatives must have the ability to provide, and commit to providing 50% of the total project budget in cash towards eligible project costs.

Industry associations, boards, and councils must have the ability to provide, and commit to providing 30% of the total project budget in cash towards eligible project costs.

Yes, please refer to the program page.

Clients can usually anticipate a decision within 20 business days for complete applications, from the application deadline date.

In order to be eligible for cost-share, all funding acknowledgement guidelines must be adhered to. The onus is on the applicant/client to ensure they have met the guidelines and have their communication products and media submitted to the IAF for review and approval by the BC Government prior to publishing. For more information on funding acknowledgement: Funding Recognition Requirements

The BC Government and IAF will work with each successful applicant to announce their project as they are approved. Recipients will not make a public announcement concerning the project funding without prior consent of the BC Ministry of Agriculture. For more information: Funding Recognition Requirements

The deadline for your final project report will be specific to your project. Interim project reports may be required. Please contact a Program Manager for further details.

It is expected that applicants prepare and submit their own applications.  Applicants are responsible for delivery of their project.

An application submitted by a consultant on behalf of a client will result in the application being rejected.  Consultant costs for the preparation of an application are not a program eligible component.

IAF encourages all potential clients for BCASMDP to contact IAF directly at funding(at)iafbc.ca