Summary

Farm to School BC (F2SBC) was not successful in receiving funding from the Ministry of Health to deliver the program for the 2025/26 school year.
The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) and Farm to School BC are actively exploring new opportunities and pursuing alternative funding sources.
As one of PHABC’s longest standing food systems programs, these pivots will impact thousands across the province and beyond.

Victoria, B.C., June 5, 2025 – The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) acknowledges the significant year-end funding cuts to the Farm to School BC (F2SBC) program.

Richard Han, PHABC’s Senior Director of Public and Planetary Health, stated, “Although the loss of our primary funding source presents significant challenges, we are deeply grateful for the continued support and commitment of the BC Ministry of Health. The heart of Farm to School BC remains strong —anchored in 18 years of trusted relationships with school communities. We remain committed to the values and vision of Farm to School BC, and will continue to operate the program in a limited capacity in the immediate future.”

Marcus Lobb, F2SBC’s Provincial Manager, emphasized the program’s key role in building community relationships and establishing partnerships through the strength of the Regional Coordinators: “Since 2015, our program’s Regional Coordinators have provided hands-on support to nearly 400 schools across all 60 school districts in BC, including Independent and First Nations schools. As a direct line of support to communities, they helped F2SBC build a strong network of educators and community members dedicated to making food a cornerstone of student learning and well-being.”

Marcus elaborated on his experience: “During the 8 years I have been with the program, I have personally witnessed the tremendous impact our staff have had on school food programming, including developing schools farms, indigenous plant gardens, field trips to farms, and bringing in dozens of additional grants to fund projects. Our staff have been vital in supporting Feeding Futures Coordinators, and assisted in the coordination and program development of the highly successful 2023 Farm to School BC conference – the first of it’s kind in British Columbia. Community has always been at the heart of our work, which is why the loss of our five Regional Coordinators is one of the most significant impacts of this transition.”

While these recent funding decisions will impact staffing capacity, PHABC and F2SBC are actively exploring new opportunities and pursuing alternative funding sources to support the program’s sustainability. This includes a fundraising campaign that will launch soon through PHABC’s MeaningfulWork platform.

“Children thrive as adults when they are provided food literacy skills early on in life,” said Shannon Turner, PHABC’s Executive Director. “F2SBC reaches students right in the classrooms, where they can become ambassadors of their own food journey, which will only serve to positively impact their physical, mental and emotional health. F2SBC is an integral component to many classrooms across the province and beyond; PHABC recognizes this value, and we know our partners, community members, and educators will continue to invest in this program and it’s beneficial outcomes in the school community.”

F2SBC is one of PHABC’s longest-standing food systems programs, and has collaborated with the Coalition for Healthy School Food, Rise Up!, and Hands on Food. F2SBC has supported nearly 400 schools and over 53,345 students across the province since 2007.

The program has provided funding and support for projects that have made significant contributions to community food security:

Over 80% of educators agree that F2SBC funded programs make strong BC curriculum connections.
91% of students in F2SBC programs showed increased willingness to try fruits and vegetables they had grown.
86% of students in F2SBC programs showed significant positive changes in healthy eating behaviours.

Contact Information

For media inquiries, please use the following contact information.

Selenna Ho
Communications Director
Public Health Association of BC
communications@phabc.org

Richard Han
Senior Director, Public and Planetary Health
Public Health Association of BC
director.cefs@phabc.org

Marcus Lobb
Provincial Manager
Farm to School BC
prov.manager@farmtoschoolbc.ca

Farm to School BC: a PHABC program rooted in community food security, literacy, and resilience.

Contact Information