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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PROGRAM GOAL ......................................................................................................................... 2

2. PROGRAM FUNDING MODEL ..................................................................................................... 3

2.1. Buy BC Logo Licensing .......................................................................................................... 3

2.2. Buy BC Cost-Shared Funding ................................................................................................ 3

3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ................................................................................................................... 4

3.1. Eligible Applicants .................................................................................................................. 4

3.2. Eligible Activities and Expenses ............................................................................................. 6

3.3. Ineligible Activities and Expenses .......................................................................................... 7

4. APPLICATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 8

4.1. Application Process and Deadlines ....................................................................................... 8

4.2. Application Process ................................................................................................................ 9

5. NOTIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT OBLIGATIONS ................................................................. 10

5.1. Funding Notifications and Contracts ................................................................................... 10

5.2. Funding Payment and Requirements .................................................................................. 10

5.3. Program Execution Changes ............................................................................................... 10

5.4. Project Reporting ................................................................................................................. 10

APPENDICES ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Appendix 1: Application Evaluations ............................................................................................... 11

September 2019. © 2019 – Investment Agriculture Foundation. All rights reserved. No part of this guide may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the B.C. Investment Agriculture Foundation. The Investment Agriculture Foundation does not endorse, recommend or assume any liability for any of the operations or organizations referenced in this document.

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1. PROGRAM GOAL The Buy BC Partnership Program is one of the key elements of the enhanced Buy BC Program, and is administered on behalf of the British Columbia (B.C.) Ministry of Agriculture by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia (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 in complement with a Buy BC brand.

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.

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2. PROGRAM FUNDING MODEL The Program model is designed around two components, the Buy BC logo licensing component and the Buy BC cost-shared funding component.

2.1. Buy BC Logo Licensing

The Buy BC logo licensing component 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 enables B.C. primary agriculture and seafood producers; agriculture, food and beverage, and seafood processors and cooperatives that meet the Buy BC logo certification requirements to use a strong Buy BC brand identifier (i.e. Buy BC logo) on their product labels to help consumers recognize and seek out B.C. products.

Consent to Use 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 to use the Buy BC logo to increase appreciation, awareness and support for B.C. agriculture and food products across the province.

2.2. Buy BC Cost-Shared Funding

Once an applicant has been approved for a Buy BC logo license, they can access cost-shared funding which provides support for B.C. primary agriculture and seafood producers; agriculture, food and beverage, and seafood processors and cooperatives; industry associations, boards and councils; and agriculture fairs and farmers’ markets to undertake sector/product specific Buy BC marketing and promotional activities across the province.

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3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA The Buy BC Program is designed to assist the agriculture, agri-food and seafood sectors with implementing eligible projects in the province of B.C. All applicants must have a head office or be registered to do business in B.C

3.1. Eligible Applicants

Eligibility is contingent on successful approval of Buy BC Logo License

Applicants Eligible for Buy BC Logo License

Eligible for Cost-Shared Funding*

Primary Agriculture and/or Seafood Producers1

Yes (Authorized Use Agreement)

Yes

Agriculture, Food and Beverage, and/or Seafood Processors or Cooperatives

Yes (Authorized Use Agreement)

Yes

Industry Associations, Boards, or Councils

Yes (Consent to Use)

Yes

Agriculture Fairs and/or Farmers’ Markets

Yes (Consent to Use)

Yes

Agriculture, Food and Beverage, and/or Seafood Retailers, Wholesalers, or Distributors

Yes (Consent to Use)

No

1 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.

Buy BC Logo Licensing Component

Applicants that are approved for cost-shared funding will automatically be approved to use the Buy BC logo in accordance with their eligibility type and the terms contained in the applicable logo agreement.

Applicants that wish to use the Buy BC logo without receiving cost-shared funding (i.e. they did not submit a cost-shared funding application or are not approved to receive cost-shared funding) are still able to apply to use the Buy BC logo through the Buy BC logo licensing component of the Program.

To be considered eligible for the Buy BC logo licensing component of the Program, applicants must:

• be a B.C.-based; primary agriculture and/or seafood producer; agriculture, food and beverage, and/or seafood processor or cooperative; industry association, board, or council; agriculture fair and/or farmers’ market; agriculture, food and beverage, and/or seafood retailer, wholesaler, or distributor2; or other non-profit agriculture, food and

2 Retailers, wholesalers, or distributors selling food, beverage, or agricultural and seafood products which are produced, processed, and packaged in B.C. with 51% or more of the direct cost of producing the product in its final

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beverage, and/or seafood organization3; and,

• 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.; and

• be selling or marketing one or more products grown or processed in B.C.

Cost-Shared Funding Component

To be considered eligible for the cost-shared funding component of the Buy BC Partnership Program, applicants must:

• be a B.C.-based primary agriculture and/or seafood producer; agriculture, food and beverage, and/or seafood processor or cooperative; industry association, board, or council; or agriculture fair and/or farmers’ market;

• 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.;

• can provide, and commit to providing a minimum percentage of the total project budget in cash, towards eligible project costs as follows:

o 50% for B.C.-based primary agriculture and/or seafood producers; agriculture, food and beverage, and/or seafood processors or cooperatives; agriculture fairs and/or farmers’ markets; or

form (i.e. the sum of raw materials, direct labour, variable processing, and packaging) originating from B.C.

o 30% for industry associations, boards, or councils; and,

• meet and have received confirmation from the Ministry, through the submission of a Part A application, that it meets the following minimum financial eligibility requirements:

Eligible Cost Share Applicants Minimum Financial Eligibility Requirements

Primary Agriculture and/or Seafood Producers4 (includes growers, harvesters, ranchers, etc.)

Have total annual gross revenues (i.e. sales) greater than $30,000/year for at least two consecutive years within the past five years. $15,000

Agriculture, Food and Beverage, and/or Seafood Processors or Cooperatives

Industry Associations, Boards, or Councils

N/A

Agriculture Fairs and/or Farmers’ Markets

N/A

3 Other non-profit agriculture, food and beverage, and/or seafood organizations that represent B.C. agri-food and seafood sector businesses / organizations

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3.2. Eligible Activities and Expenses

In order to be approved under either the cost-shared funding component or the Buy BC logo licensing component of the Program, the Applicant’s project activities must meet specific criteria which may include but are not necessarily limited to the following activities. Project activities must be completed within the fiscal year for which the applicant is approved for funding. Activities completed outside this time frame will not be considered eligible under the Program.

Note that translation and interpretation services to target the following activities to non-English speaking audiences in B.C. are considered eligible expenses.

Advertising, including social media, will require the appropriate funding acknowledgements and approval prior to the production of the advertising material. Items not pre-approved will not be funded. IAF Program Staff will provide successful candidates with the guidelines funding acknowledgement. For clarification on items not listed below, please contact IAF program staff.

Labelling Products, Packaging with a Buy BC Logo

Designing/redesigning labels/packaging to incorporate the new Buy BC logo on eligible products certified for Buy BC logo use.

Printing product labels/packaging which incorporate the Buy BC logo, to be used during the term of the project; Includes hiring graphic designers and/or other related contractors.

Marketing Collateral and Promotional Materials

Designing, developing, and printing/producing Buy BC-branded marketing collateral and promotional tools; Includes retail flyers, marketing brochures/rack cards, stickers, sell sheets, table-tent cards, banners, recipe cards, contest entry

forms, shopping bags, aprons, placemats/coasters, pens, and pins.

B.C. Focused Market Development Tradeshows and Fairs

Participating in tradeshows, food fairs, and/or sales expositions within B.C. that target consumers and/or food service/institutional/retail buyers; Includes securing booth space, designing/printing Buy BC-branded booth graphics, and shipping Buy BC-branded marketing collateral to the event.

B.C. Focused In-Store Demonstrations and Promotions

Conducting in-store product demonstrations within B.C.; Includes hiring brand ambassador contractors to carry out in-store product demonstrations and tastings.

Conducting in-store retail/restaurant/food-service promotions within B.C.; Includes promoting your business/organization’s Buy BC certified products through the design/development of in-store displays/signage, shelf-talkers/shelf-strips/wobblers and/or promotional materials; and delivering consumer-focused, Buy BC-branded contests.

Print and Broadcast Advertising

Developing and producing Buy BC-branded broadcast advertising campaigns and print advertising campaigns; Includes hiring graphic designers, photographers, advertising agencies, and/or other related contractors to develop and/or print Buy BC-branded newspaper, magazine, newsletter, transit, vehicle, and/or billboard ads; developing media plans; purchasing advertising space.

Online Advertising and Social Media

Developing and producing Buy BC-branded online advertising campaigns; Includes hiring graphic designers, photographers, videographers,

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advertising agencies, and/or other related contractors to add a Buy BC presence to an existing or new website; developing and/or delivering Buy BC-branded online adverts, including social media promotion; developing media plans; purchasing advertising space.

3.3. Ineligible Activities and Expenses

The following activities and costs are not eligible for reimbursement under the Program. For clarification on the items listed below, please contact IAF program staff.

• Activities that take place before the project start date or after the project completion date

• Domestic market research • Marketing plans • Subsequent Packaging. Design, tool &

die, and printing production costs for a first run of packaging materials are eligible.

• Buying, starting or expanding a farm or business

• Purchasing capital expenses (e.g. land, buildings, fences, equipment, tradeshow booth hardware, computers, mobile phones, tools, packaging plate costs, seed, livestock)

• Basic research (experimental or theoretical work which is undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge without a commercial or specific application in view)

• Sponsorship; requesting funds to support or sponsor a third-party activity

• Product for sampling or sale • Costs associated with giveaways • Promotional products/materials planned

for re-sale, contests or gifts • Stakeholder engagement or membership

drives • Product development or new brand

development • Direct income support • Lobbying or influencing any level of

government • The normal operations of a business or

organization (I.e. creating a strategic plan, hiring staff, holding a conference or annual meeting, education or training) which are not intended to address the objectives of this Program

• Website/IT systems upgrades and hosting fees. Only the cost for adding specific ‘Buy BC’ elements to a website are eligible for cost-share.

• Building and implementing an e-commerce tool or website

• Any activities that may be considered to denigrate other products or commodities (e.g. farmed vs. wild salmon; organic vs. conventional agriculture, etc.)

• Membership fees • Cannabis-related activities

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4. APPLICATIONS

4.1. Application Process and Deadlines

Applications for the Buy BC logo license are ongoing. Applicants must have a logo license to be eligible for cost-shared funding.

Part A applications for determining eligibility for the cost-shared program will be accepted until November 1, 2019.

There will be one annual application window; the deadline to apply is November 29 each year. All applications received by the deadline will be

collectively reviewed and evaluated based on merit. In rare occasions, applications may be accepted outside of these dates, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability of funds.

The Program Eligibility Form (Part A Applications) will be accepted year-round, however the deadline for receiving the eligibility for the coming fiscal year is November 1st each year.

The deadlines for applications for the 2020 – 21 fiscal year are as follows:

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4.2. Application Process

Secure approval of a Buy BC Logo License

Applications for a Buy BC Logo License must be approved prior to the submission of Part A applications. Applicants must record applicable Buy BC Logo License number on the Part A Application for the Buy BC cost-shared program.

Confirm Your Eligibility for Cost-Shared Funding through a Part A Application

If this is your first time applying to the program, complete Part A of the Application (Eligibility Confirmation Form) and submit your completed form to IAF at buybc@iafbc.ca. Applicants who re-apply to the Program will only be required to submit an updated Part A of the Application (Eligibility Confirmation Form) if there have been changes to the Designated Officer (e.g. CEO/Chairperson/President, Senior Final Officer/Treasurer, Executive Director, etc.) who signed the previously submitted application or if ownership of the business has changed.

Once submitted, Part A of the Application will be assessed by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture to confirm your organization’s eligibility for cost-shared funding through the Program. If required, the Ministry will follow up with your organization directly to seek further information or clarification. You must provide all information requested in the application form to demonstrate your eligibility.

Please allow 7 to 10 business days for Part A of the application to be reviewed and your eligibility confirmed.

Approval to Proceed to Part B

Upon review of your Part A Application by the Ministry, IAF will provide your organization with written confirmation of program eligibility along with instructions to complete Part B of the

Application (Project Details Form) to provide details on the specific project and activity(s) you plan to undertake.

Please note that confirmation of eligibility (e.g. submission and approval of Part A of the Application) does not guarantee that your organization’s project will receive funding. Funding decisions will be made by the IAF Board based on the project details you provide in Part B of the Application and are subject to the availability of funding. Complete and submit a fully completed Part B of the Application (Project Details Form).

IAF Program Staff are available from October 1 to November 29, 2019 to assist you with advice and feedback regarding your completed Project Details Application Form. While this is not a guarantee that the project/activities will be funded, a review will give you an opportunity to strengthen your application. Applicants are encouraged to include only activities that they are confident will be completed on time and within budget. New evaluation criteria will penalize applicants for previously approved projects that were not completed or not accurately budgeted for.

Completed Part B Application forms must be submitted to buybc@iafbc.ca by 4:30 pm PST on November 29, 2019. Late submissions will not be accepted.

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5. NOTIFICATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS

5.1. Funding Notifications and Contracts

Applications will be reviewed in December and January and the IAF board will issue a decision by the second week of February. If the project is approved, IAF will inform the applicant of the details of the decision and any associated terms and conditions. The applicant then enters into an agreement with IAF which outlines the obligations of each party. If the project is not approved, the applicant will receive a written response from IAF with reasons for the decision.

5.2. Funding Payment and Requirements

Funding is released quarterly (July, October, January, April) upon receipt and validation of all invoiced expenses. Clients are encouraged to apply for reimbursement on a quarterly basis. A Post Project Report must be received within 30 days of project completion. Flexibility in this process may be acceptable in extraordinary situations.

5.3. Program Execution Changes

Once approved, any changes to the application will need to be approved by IAF. Successful applicants must request any changes in writing to IAF. All changes must be approved by IAF in order to be deemed an eligible expense. Activities undertaken that have not been approved or are not identified in the contract are not eligible for funding. An applicant may have opportunities or situations arise which make it difficult to proceed with a pre-approved project/activity. If this is the case, please contact IAF Program Staff to discuss.

5.4. Project Reporting

A Post Project Report must be submitted within 30 days of project completion. Recipients will report on the impacts of their Buy BC activities.

If an Applicant fails to provide a Post Project Report within the parameters as set out in the contract, the Applicant will not be eligible to apply for funding from the Program.

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APPENDICES Appendix 1: Application Evaluations

The IAF Board will meet to review Buy BC applications in February 2020. IAF Directors are farmers, food processors and industry affiliates from a variety of sectors who bring valuable expertise to the table. Rest assured your application will be considered by a knowledgeable panel of industry peers.

All applications will be evaluated based on a set of pre-determined criteria. The following are examples of questions that will be used by IAF to score each application:

Component Example questions that IAF will use to rate the application

History with IAF-Administered Programs:

• Has the applicant applied to the Buy BC Partnership Program before? • Were they successful in their application? If so, how much funding did they

receive? • Were the Post Project Report and all activities completed on time and

within budget? If no, why not?

Research and Strategy:

• Has the applicant completed any market research? • Has the applicant provided a marketing plan or description of key goals they

hope to achieve with this project? • How well do the project activities align with the applicant’s marketing

strategy?

Project Components:

• How well do the project activities support the applicant's project objectives? • Are the activities sufficiently focused? • Is the budget consistent with average costs for these types of activities? • Has the applicant provided relevant documentation to support the request

(i.e. quotes)?

• Will undertaking this project increase the likelihood of the applicant expanding business operations in B.C. in the future?

Performance Measures and Work Plan

• How well do the project results align with Buy BC Program objectives? • Has the applicant established clear deliverables, reasonable timelines, and

a list of key milestones? • How well does the application provide information about the applicant’s

targeted results? What will be measured, how will they be measured, and which performance indicators will be tracked?

• Are Marketing Collateral and Promotional Material activities occurring in Quarter One or Quarter Two thereby ensuring the likelihood of being completed on time?

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Capacity • Is the applicant solely responsible for completing the project, or will the applicant hire a consultant to complete the project?

• Is the applicant likely to utilize the funding requested? • Are there sufficient human resources in place to ensure that project reports

and documentation will be maintained and delivered?

Partnerships • Is the applicant working with industry associations, retailers, distributors, non-profit organizations, or government agencies to deliver the project? If so, are these relationships sufficient for helping the applicant successfully complete their project?