Request for Proposals for a Digital Communications Contractor

Release date: October 8st, 2026
Application closing date: November 2nd, 2026
Contact dates: January 4th – December 31st, 2027
Contact: applications@fmns.ca 

Organization History

Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia (FMNS) was founded in 2004 as a cooperative to strengthen and connect farmers’ markets across the province. The cooperative’s purpose has always centred on supporting farmers’ markets, increasing access to local food, and improving the conditions under which farmers and small-scale producers can thrive. The organization exists to advance growth and prosperity for markets through support, programs, advocacy, marketing, relationship building, and sector leadership.

Today, FMNS operates as:

• A membership-based cooperative that supports, represents and is accountable to its member markets
• A key knowledge base offering resources, training, and capacity-building for markets and vendors
• A marketing engine to encourage active community participation at farmers markets
• A provincial delivery partner for food access and buy local programs

Principles of Operation 

Community: FMNS believes in the power of community-rooted food systems. Farmers’ markets thrive when local relationships are strong and producers and customers feel connected.

Cooperation: FMNS is guided by shared leadership, democratic decision making, and mutual support. Members shape the direction of the organization.

Authenticity: FMNS supports real farmers’ markets. Markets that uplift small producers, reflect local culture, and prioritize transparency and trust.

Equity and Access: The cooperative is committed to making markets more accessible to those who face financial or social barriers to good food.

Relocalization: FMNS believes in bringing food systems closer to home. This includes strengthening independent producers, increasing community resilience, and shifting value back to local economies.

Learning and Growth: FMNS invests in training, skill building, and knowledge sharing for both staff and members. The organization continues to evolve by listening, learning, and adapting.

Stewardship: FMNS has always been careful with resources. Stewardship includes financial responsibility, strong partnerships, and a thoughtful approach to growth.

Respect and Care: FMNS treats staff, members, partners, and communities with respect. Decisions are grounded in care for people and care for place.

Scope of Work

The selected contractor will act as FMNS’s primary digital marketing engine, driving public awareness, and market attendance across Nova Scotia while communicating our core values of local economic development, food access, and sector advocacy.

Social Media Management

• Develop, research, create, schedule, and publish high-quality visual content (8-12 posts monthly across Instagram and Facebook)
• Active daily monitoring, responding to public/vendor inquiries, reposting member content, and fostering community interaction.
• Program promotion:
  • Nourishing Communities Program: Plan and deliver bi-annual impact campaigns showcasing the food coupon program’s community and economic influence.
  • Nova Scotia Loyal: Coordinate digital communications for provincial voucher redemptions, student/newcomer outreach, and government-backed initiatives.
  • Market Maps: Promote the annual Market Map release across digital channels to support offline distribution.
• Deliver an annual dashboard report and impact summary for our staff, membership and board.
• Management of FMNS Facebook group

E-newsletter Campaign

• Creation of content and copy for a monthly public facing newsletter, The Basket. 
• 3–5 additional brief newsletter campaigns are needed throughout the year to promote special projects.

Print & Merch Special Design Projects

• Market Map creation: Create a market map flyer design with an eyecatching cover, visual map graphic and market listings for our 40+ member farmers’ markets. 
• Market Map poster creation: Create a poster design to promote our member farmers’ markets to be displayed in communities across Nova Scotia
• Art direction for one piece of branded merchandise. Oversee the development and design of a branded merchandise item (such as tote bag, t-shirt, etc.) FMNS has worked with a designer to create branded merchandise for 6 years to wholesale to our member farmers’ markets.

Logistics

Compensation: Up to $24,000/year, inclusive.
Hours: Flexible work schedule. Heaviest workload during March – June months. Available for 1 staff meeting/month.
Location: Remote work. Must live full-time in Nova Scotia.

Proposal Requirements

Interested individuals/firms should submit a short proposal (maximum 2 pages) including:

1. Brief overview of your experience, specifically highlighting work with non-profits, cooperatives, or organizations focused in the agri-food, small business or arts sector.
2. If you’re applying as a firm, include the name of the primary point of contact, their qualifications, and your preferred software ecosystem.
3. A clear breakdown of costs and budget proposed.
4. Contact information for one current or recent non-profit/co-op/business client. 

Portfolio Requirement

Please include a brief sample portfolio of work to showcase examples of social media posts, graphic design, and general promotions.