The RFF’s mission is to help farms launch organic farm-to-table programs, provide support to existing farms in the Network, and raise public awareness of the importance of supporting local farmers. By joining the Family Farmers Network, you help support efforts to promote this model in Quebec, sending a message to agricultural decision-makers that the dominant model is not the only one worthy of their attention.
What the RFF offers You
Your First Year with the RFF
- Training on production planning for farm-to-table baskets and on the logistical aspects of implementing the organic farm-to-table basket program, and more;
- A mentoring relationship with an experienced farm to maximize your chances of success;
- Support in developing pickup locations;
- Follow-up from an advisor at the start of the season, as well as a farm visit as needed.
At all times
- Support for promoting projects to consumers
- Extensive advertising campaigns across various platforms (web, newspapers, etc.);
- A showcase for the farm and its offerings on the Network’s interactive map, which receives more than 150,000 visitors per year (www.fermierdefamille.com);
- Media launch of the summer basket season with national and regional media (TV, radio, print media, the Internet, blogs, magazines, etc.);
- Access to communication and promotional tools that each farm can customize (flyers, posters, etc.);
- Raising public awareness of the CSA model: booths, conferences, etc.;
- Partnerships to develop pickup locations (Metro, SAQ, Pharmacies Brunet, Renaissance, EXO, etc.);
- Use by the farm of the RFF and CAPÉ logos to build trust;
- Personalized support, as needed and to the extent possible.
- Technical support to strengthen producers’ projects
- Training workshops and networking events;
- Summer farm visits to promote the sharing of best practices;
- A management tool for online subscriber registration, payments and simplified billing, managing vacations, selling surplus produce, and much more.
- This tool also allows us to collect reliable statistics on the Network, track the progress of subscriptions at the start of the season, and thus provide appropriate support to farms in need;
- Monitoring of organic vegetable prices by region for farms within the Network.
The Strength of a Network
- Access to exclusive discounts from agricultural suppliers and consulting firms through the Network’s Privilege Card (30 participating suppliers, including Dubois Agrinovation, Teris, Serres Guy Tessier, and Johnny’s Selected Seeds);
- Optimal management of delivery points among all farms in the Network;
- Assistance from other farms in the Network in the event of losses due to natural disasters, when circumstances permit;
- A classified ads service allowing member farms to post surplus or needed vegetables, machinery sales and requests, agricultural news, logistics information, etc;
- Access to information on current events in agriculture, particularly in organic farming (conferences, publications, etc.);
- A newsletter featuring Network news, current tips, member success stories, CSA best practices, etc;
- Representation of members’ needs and concerns in various roundtables, partnerships, and other groups.
What CAPÉ offers You
- Les Bio Locaux, a collective marketing initiative featuring summer market stalls and winter baskets (certain conditions apply);
- Collective purchases of equipment and supplies to take advantage of discounted rates;
- DIY workshops to build low-cost machinery and tools tailored by and for the members who make them;
- The Fall Gathering, THE event for the local organic farming sector, featuring a variety of lectures, panel discussions, and tours;
- The Organic Field Expo, an outdoor event focused on field demonstrations, networking, and presentations of relevant equipment and tools.