Feeding Growth Info Sheets

1. Creative Markets for Sustainable Food Products

Many companies are having to look for new markets or ways to get their products to customers or retail stores since their traditional distribution networks are no longer available and they missed out on the trade show sales they were expecting this year. This info sheet talks about innovative sales channels and ways to advertise those channels to your existing and potential customers.

2. Dealing with COVID-19 Cash Flow Disruptions

What are some ways to finance your business during COVID? This info sheet breaks down options into federal government programs, provincial government programs, municipal programs, the benefits and drawbacks of financial strategies for businesses, and private financial programs or supports.

3. Risk Management in the COVID-19 Era

This info sheet gives some information about risk management planning for businesses and looks at some major COVID-19 related risks to businesses.

4. Sourcing Ingredients During COVID

Some companies are experiencing shortages of ingredients. This info sheet talks about alternative sourcing options and strategies for sourcing products.

5. Liability and COVID-19

This info sheet looks at the different areas of liability a small food producer might have related to COVID-19, ways to protect yourself, how to institute best practices around customer and employee health and safety, incorporating your business, and other things to consider.

General Resources

Growing Together – A Collaborative Effort to get Growing – Resources on starting to grow food, where to get supplies, and community projects that could be helpful for businesses growing their own produce, etc.

Small Farm Covid Preparedness Facebook Group – Discuss and share ideas for surviving Covid-19 as a small farm/business

Buy BC Partnership Program E-commerce Funding Stream – Funding for enhancing direct-to-customer sales

DIY Website Toolkit for Farmers & Food Producers: Ecommerce Tricks, Tips, and Tools – E-commerce tips for small businesses

Small Farmers’ Big Customers Were Restaurants. Now What? – Opportunities for small scale farmers or businesses to find alternative buyers

AgSafe BC COVID-19 Resources – General food safety tools and information

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Information on COVID-19 – Food safety info

Institute for Food Safety – Cornell University – Food safety info

Farm Credit Canada – Our Response to COVID-19 – Funding and information for farmers but also for small businesses and processors

Supporting Canada’s Farmers, Food Businesses, and Food Supply – Summary of funding and support for small businesses, etc.

Economic Thoughts on COVID-19 for Canadian Food Processors – General economic implications for both small and large processors

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses – Funding for large and small businesses

This Essay Collection is a Roadmap Toward a Healthier Post-COVID Food System – Food Tank – General interest in how the virus has affected all aspects of the food system

Working together to build sustainable food systems – Focus on local production and sale

COVID-19 Small Business Help Centre – CFIB general info

Back to Business Resources from Small Business BC – Info on how to reopen, how to get PPE, communicating with customers

Finding PPE for your business from Small business BC – General info on PPE

Small Business Marketplace – Digital platform for small businesses to sell their products

Canada Emergency Business Account – Interest free loans for small businesses and nonprofits