New Funding Available for Transition to Online Sales and Other Direct Market Resources
New funding available for online business sales
The governments of Ontario and Canada have announced $2.5 million in cost-share funding available to help the agri-food sector expand online.
The Agri-Food Open for E-Business initiative will help food producers, farmers markets, retailers, garden centres, greenhouses, nurseries, and agricultural associations develop online business, and provide consumers with greater access to a wide variety of food and agriculture products. The funding is being provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
This targeted application intake features two funding streams:
- Bring Your Business Online: Provides a grant of up to $5,000 to eligible organizations/businesses to help establish an online presence.
- Develop Online Business Opportunities: Provides cost-share funding for up to 90 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $75,000 to develop e-business opportunities on a larger scale.
More information about this targeted intake and the program guidelines can be found online here.
Additional Direct Sales Resources
There are many groups that have prepared resource guides to help farms and food businesses navigate the transition to online and other direct sales channels:
- A Guide to Alternative Delivery Systems for Local Producers During the COVID-19 Pandemic (from Purdue University): This guide offers ideas and guidance on social media marketing tips, food safety and handling standards, and alternative delivery system options.
- Ontario Federation of Agriculture Guide for Direct Sales to Consumers during COVID-19 and Beyond
- CSA Pick-up and Distribution in a COVID-19 Reality: Challenges, Ideas and Strategies from EFAO farmers
- Public Safety Protocols for Ontario’s Farmers’ Markets (Farmers’ Markets Ontario): Farmers’ Markets have been deemed an essential service in Ontario. These protocols have been developed in consultation with public health officials and must be reviewed and adapted in consultation with the local public health unit to meet each market’s specific operational requirements.
- REKO Canada: New co-marketing tool for farms could help you this season. The REKO model is a simple, no-cost and very efficient approach to co-marketing that has been used for years in Finland and generates many millions of dollars in sales annually. Recently it has been picked up in Northumberland County by four groups. Campbellford is underway and Belleville, Brighton and Bowmanville are just about to start. Questions? Join this Facebook Group, where you can ask questions of Nadia Simard, the volunteer who has so far been coordinating this in Northumberland. She is ready to help you set up.
- Farmers’ Guide to Direct Sales Software Platforms: The National Young Farmers Coalition in the US has put together a handy guide reviewing many of the software platforms for direct sales as well as some tips when considering what platform to choose. Not all of these are available in Canada, but some are like Farmigo, HarvestHand, Local Line, Harvie, Open Food Network and CSAware.
Related Upcoming Events
Webinar: Moving Sales Online with Open Food Network (hosted by EFAO)
When: Friday, May 1st at 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET
Cost: Free for EFAO members
About: Open Food Network Canada is an incorporated not-for-profit. We are building a public infrastructure for the sale and distribution of food in local sustainable food systems.
Webinar: Social Media Marketing for Farmers (CCOF)
When: Tue, May 19, 2020 at 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EDT
Cost: Free
About: This webinar is part of the CCOF Foundation’s Farmers’ Marketing: Tools for Success series, and focuses on social media strategies for farms selling direct to consumers.
Webinar: Innovative Direct Marketing for Farmers (CCOF)
When: Tue, May 26, 2020 at 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EDT
Cost: Free
About: This webinar is part of the CCOF Foundation’s Farmers’ Marketing: Tools for Success series. Innovative direct marketing can keep your farm business viable in fast changing times. Join Jamie Collins of Serendipity Farms for a webinar on tools to increase your farm’s customer base and your revenue.
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