The Taking Root program is led by FMNS in partnership with 20 individual farmers’ markets and five community organizations that support Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), and Newcomer entrepreneurs. The program was designed in collaboration with vendors, markets, and entrepreneurship organizations and is being tested over a pilot season in 2024. The long term goals are to address systemic barriers for people accessing farmers’ markets as a way to start and grow a new business and grow markets to fully represent the communities they are based in.

To participate in the Taking Root Program, vendors should be planning to sell food products made in Nova Scotia and using local ingredients where possible and have an existing relationship with one of five community-based entrepreneurship programs. The Taking Root program offers individual support from market managers and business advisors, mentorship opportunity, financial support, brand design at reduced costs, and additional resources based on what participants choose. We hope that after this program, participants will be able to continue with their business at a farmers’ market or elsewhere if they choose.

For more information, contact Alicia at alicia@farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca