BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC) is excited to make available to interested growers and suppliers, the opportunity to provide locally grown fruits and vegetables to the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program (BCSFVNP) for the 2022-2023 school year!

This is an exciting opportunity to join over 500 suppliers to provide fresh produce to 500,000+ K-12 students in 1,300+ schools participating in BCSFVNP throughout the province.

BCSFVNP is the result of a unique collaboration between the BC Ministries of Health, Education, and Agriculture. Funding is provided by the BC Ministry of Health. The program is administered through BCAITC. 

Submit Supplier Proposals by June 17, 2022

To be considered as a potential BCSFVNP fruit or vegetable supplier for the 2021-2022 school year, please carefully review this Request for Proposals document and Product Proposals Details spreadsheet*. Submit both documents by 5:00pm on June 17, 2022 (no late proposals will be accepted).

Proposals Requirements

1. Letter of Introduction  
2. Qualifications and References
3. Supply Volumes and Case Size  
4. Costs
5. Product Samples  
6. Appendix | Product Proposals Details spreadsheet

Please see Request for Proposals document and Product Proposals Details spreadsheet for full details and selection criteria.

*Please contact Paul Boudreau, BCAITC Logistics Coordinator, if you have any issues downloading files.

Proposal Submissions

Proposals may be submitted in the following forms:

• 1 copy submitted via email to Paul Boudreau, BCAITC Logistics Coordinator or
• 2 copies submitted by hand delivery, mail, or courier to BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, 202-2313 West Railway Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 2E3 | Tel: 604.854.6064 | Toll Free: 1.866.517.6225

Successful suppliers will be notified by July 15, 2022. Selected suppliers will be required to sign a contract for fulfillment. 

How Does BCSFVNP Work?

For over 17 years, BCAITC has worked with hundreds of growers to source BC grown fruits and vegetables. School coordinators and volunteers provide it to the students to enjoy as healthy snacks (as they learn about BC foods with curriculum-linked resources). BCSFVNP delivers various fruits and vegetables into schools 24 weeks of the school year.

What Produce Does BCSFVNP Provide to Schools?

BCSFVNP provides over 6 million pieces of produce to BC schools annually. Some of the produce provided by BCSFVNP in past years are listed below. Suppliers of any produce (especially produce available in single-serve portions) are encouraged to submit applications as we are always looking to expand the offerings of the program. Preference is given to BC grown produce. 

• Fruit: Apples (assorted varieties), apricots, berries (blueberries, strawberries), grapes, kiwifruit, nectarines, oranges (mandarin), peaches, pears (assorted varieties), plums (assorted varieties), tomatoes (grape, yellow, heirloom, etc.)
• Vegetables: Carrots (baby peeled ready-to-eat), cucumbers (baby, mini), peppers (baby bells, mini), snap peas

Why Partner with BCSFVNP?

BCSFVNP provides growers with an opportunity to be part of an amazing program that provides BC students with an opportunity to try and learn about healthy, locally grown foods  and form a life-long appreciation of agriculture. There are many reasons why BCSFVNP is an amazing program. Here a few of the program's benefits:

• Increases students' acceptance of, exposure to, and willingness to try fruits and vegetables
• Increases students' knowledge and awareness of fruits and vegetables as locally grown foods
• Increases students' knowledge of fruits and vegetables as nutritious foods to eat
• Increases access to local fruits and vegetables in BC schools
• Supports BC's economy and builds relationships between industry partners by working with local growers and distributors to bring fresh BC products to schools 

More Information

Watch the video below to learn more about BCSFVNP. You can also find more information on the program here.