Agriculture is a vital part of the region’s economy and food system. Farmland provides fresh, local food, supports jobs, and includes natural areas that support biodiversity. However, it requires a protected land base for farming.
As the region grows, agricultural land faces increasing pressure from non-farm development, and climate change poses new challenges for the industry. Protecting and enhancing agricultural lands is critical to ensuring long-term food security and agricultural viability.
Metro Vancouver’s role
Metro Vancouver works with member jurisdictions, provincial agencies, and other organizations to protect agricultural land, support farmers, and strengthen the region’s food system. Key policies in
Metro 2050, the Regional Growth Strategy, key policies guide the protection of agricultural land and promote long-term agricultural viability.
Agricultural land protection is supported by the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), a provincial designation that protects land for farming. Metro Vancouver works closely with the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) to review any proposed changes to agricultural land in the region.
Metro Vancouver also collects data, conducts research, and develops policies to support agriculture. By working collaboratively, we can ensure farming remains a strong and sustainable part of the regional economy and land base.
| Regional Food System Strategy | Regional Food System Strategy | <div class="ExternalClass6AD956CB648F4B7283BC1D8D454488E5"><p>Metro Vancouver’s Regional Food System Strategy promotes a collaborative approach to building a sustainable, resilient, and healthy food system. The strategy is currently being updated to reflect significant economic, environmental, and regulatory changes since its original release in 2011.</p><ul class="fa-ul"><li>
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<i class="fa-light fa-link" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> <a href="/services/regional-planning/regional-food-system-strategy-update" title="Regional Food System Strategy Update">Regional Food System Strategy Update</a><br></li></ul></div> |
| Agricultural Awareness Grants | Agricultural Awareness Grants | <div class="ExternalClass2ACEF215CD4F427295ACC78F80B68C76"><p>Metro Vancouver promotes agricultural awareness by providing grants to community organizations that educate the public on the importance of local food systems and the essential role of farming. This program also , helps while also promoteadvancing food security, community health, and environmental stewardship.</p><ul class="fa-ul"><li>
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<i class="fa-light fa-link" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> <a href="/services/regional-planning/agriculture-awareness-grants" title=" Agriculture Awareness Grants">Agriculture Awareness Grants</a><br></li></ul></div> |
| Agricultural Land Use Inventory | Agricultural Land Use Inventory | <div class="ExternalClass71F2858D16D34168B00C6614CC010FE3"><p>Metro Vancouver partners with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to conduct regular gricultural land use inventories. This data tracks the supply, use, and condition of farmland across the region over time to support long-term planning and protection.</p><p>Metro Vancouver is currently updating the inventory and integrating it with Census of Agriculture data to create new resources that will further support agricultural and land use planning.<br></p><ul class="fa-ul"><li>
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<i class="fa-light fa-link" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> <a href="/services/regional-planning/resources-and-studies#Default=%7B%22k%22%3A%22%22%2C%22r%22%3A%5B%7B%22n%22%3A%22PlanningPublicationType%22%2C%22t%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22%C7%82%C7%824167726963756c74757265%5C%22%22%5D%2C%22o%22%3A%22OR%22%2C%22k%22%3Afalse%2C%22m%22%3A%7B%22%5C%22%C7%82%C7%824167726963756c74757265%5C%22%22%3A%22Agriculture%22%7D%7D%5D%2C%22l%22%3A1033%7D" target="_blank" title="Regional Planning - Resources and Studies - Industrial Lands and Employment">View previous agricultural land use inventory and Census of Agriculture data</a><br></li></ul></div> |
| Food Flows in Metro Vancouver | Food Flows in Metro Vancouver | <div class="ExternalClass4EF88F9BA0924479A5E70300FD4597AB"><p>This study estimates the volume and value of food imported and exported from the Metro Vancouver region and the methods used to transport this food to and from international sources, the US, other provinces, and within BC. Metro Vancouver is currently developing a new data resource to support ongoing analysis of the region’s food security.<br></p><ul class="fa-ul"><li>
<span class="fa-li">
<i class="fa-light fa-file" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> <a href="/services/regional-planning/Documents/food-flows-in-metro-vancouver-executive-summary.pdf" title="Food Flows in Metro Vancouver – Summary (2020)">Food Flows in Metro Vancouver – Summary (2020)</a></li><li>
<span class="fa-li">
<i class="fa-light fa-file" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> <a href="/services/regional-planning/Documents/food-flows-in-metro-vancouver.pdf" title="Food Flows in Metro Vancouver – Technical Report (2020)">Food Flows in Metro Vancouver – Technical Report (2020)</a></li></ul></div> |