The Sharing Farm Society

What The Sharing Farm Society does

The Sharing Farm Society is a registered non-profit community farm established in 2004 and operated from a single site within Terra Nova Rural Park in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The organization grows vegetables and flowers under Pacific Agricultural Certification Society (PACS) Certified Organic standards, with full certification expected in fall 2026. It is led by a small staff team supported by more than 600 volunteers annually and has been operating continuously for over 20 years, distributing more than 20,000 pounds of produce each year to the Richmond Food Bank, Musqueam Free Market, Richmond Family Place, and other community food programs.

The farm monetizes its operations through a diversified mix of channels. Direct-to-consumer revenue comes from a seasonal on-farm Farmstand at Mary's Barn (open Thursdays 3–7pm and Saturdays 10am–2pm, June through November), a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership with Small Shares ($576–$608) and Large Shares ($756–$798) over a 19-week season with pickup at both the Richmond farm and an East Vancouver site at 2928 East Georgia Street, and participation as a vendor at the Ladner Village Market in Delta (Sundays 10am–4pm, June–September). A B2B fresh-sheet program supplies seasonal produce to local restaurants including Burdock and Michelin-recommended Nero Tondo. Corporate revenue includes a three-tiered sponsorship program (Cultivate $3,000+/year, Grow $10,000+/year, Sustain $10,000+/year for three years) and paid group volunteering sessions ($450 booking deposit for 10 adults plus per-participant add-ons). Charitable donations remain the most flexible funding source, with tax-receipted giving managed through Keela.

Community engagement is anchored by the annual Richmond Garlic Festival, which has run for over a decade and draws approximately 5,000 attendees from Metro Vancouver on a by-donation basis, alongside farm tours at a recommended $10/person donation and recurring events such as the Long Table Dinner with Nero Tondo and pop-ups with Tall Shadow Bakery and Gimjang. The organization holds a 2026 Good Food Organization badge from Right to Food Canada, maintains social media audiences of 5,700+ followers and 3,200+ newsletter subscribers, and works with corporate volunteer cohorts including Microsoft, Coast Capital, YVR Group, BC Housing, Lafarge, Earthworm Foundation, Cytiva, and Central 1 Credit Union. Marketing, distribution, and fundraising are entirely community-rooted — events, email, social, and word-of-mouth — with no disclosed use of AI/ML technology, patents, trademarks, or external institutional capital.

Name

The Sharing Farm Society

Legal name

The Sharing Farm Society

Website

https://sharingfarm.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sharing Farm Society is a non-profit community farm in Richmond, BC that grows certified-organic produce for CSA members, restaurants, and farmstand customers while donating over 20,000 lbs annually to local food security programs, supported by 600+ volunteers and tiered corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Profit Community Agriculture

NAICS

Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm-to-Consumer Produce Boxes / CSA Delivery (AFAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE), Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

Keywords

• Community supported agriculture
• Organic vegetable farming
• Urban farmstand retail
• Corporate volunteer programs
• Non-profit food security

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Produce Donations & Food Bank Distribution: As a non-profit, the farm shares over 20,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables annually to the Richmond Food Bank, Musqueam Free Market, and community food programs. Donations provide flexible funding supporting operations and programs.
2. Farmstand Sales: Direct produce sales to consumers through on-farm Farmstand open seasonal hours (Thursdays 3-7pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm, June-November). Takes cash, credit, debit, and Farmstand Vouchers.
3. Restaurant B2B Sales: Fresh sheet program supplying quality seasonal fruits, vegetables, and garnish to local restaurants through email outreach via CSA manager Bailey.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Three-tiered sponsorship program (Sustain $10,000+/3yr, Grow $10,000+, Cultivate $3,000) with recognition including social media, newsletters, signage, and group volunteering sessions.
5. Group Volunteering: Corporate and youth group volunteer sessions at $450 booking deposit (10 participants) plus $45/additional adult or $25/additional youth, including farm tours and hands-on harvesting activities.
6. Farmstand Vouchers: Gift cards in $25 increments for use at the Farmstand and markets, similar to CSA model but with customer flexibility.
7. Richmond Garlic Festival: Annual festival by donation (suggested $5 minimum) supporting farm operations and food access programs, attracting approximately 5,000 attendees.
8. Events & Workshops: Special events including Long Table Dinner, farm tours ($10/person minimum donation), Tall Shadow Bakery pop-ups, and kimchi fundraisers with per-item donations to the farm.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Sharing Farm Society is a registered non-profit charitable community farm operating in Terra Nova Rural Park, Richmond, BC. It cultivates sustainably-grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers sold through an on-farm Farmstand, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership shares, a farmers' market, and direct restaurant supply. The farm also operates educational farm tours, multiple volunteer engagement programs, an annual Richmond Garlic Festival, and a corporate sponsorship program, with surplus produce donated to food security partners.

Product overview

The Sharing Farm Society operates as a non-profit community farm with a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered on local, sustainable food production and community food security. The core offerings include the Farmstand (retail produce sales), CSA Membership (weekly produce subscriptions), and Farmers' Market participation. Supporting services include Restaurant Produce Supply, Farmstand Vouchers (gift cards), and Farm Tours. Community engagement is facilitated through Volunteer Programs (Field Friends, Flower Power Team, Group Volunteering, Seniors Volunteering) involving over 600 annual volunteers. Annual flagship events include the Richmond Garlic Festival. Fundraising mechanisms include Donations and a tiered Sponsorship Program. The farm is currently in transition period toward full PACS Certified Organic status (expected fall 2026).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Farmstand On-farm retail stand selling fresh, seasonally available vegetables and flowers grown at the farm. Located in Mary's Barn at 2771 Westminster Hwy, operating Thursdays 3:00pm-7:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am-2:00pm, June through November. Accepts cash, credit, debit, and Farmstand Vouchers.
• CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Membership Weekly produce subscription program where members purchase shares of the season's harvest in advance. Offers Large Share (7-11 items at $42/week) and Small Share (6-8 items at $32/week) options, with a 19-week season from mid-June/early July to October. Pickup available at the farm in Richmond (Thursdays 3-7pm) or at 2928 East Georgia Street in East Vancouver (Thursdays 5-8pm), with a swap box system for member flexibility.
• Farmers' Market Participation Fresh produce available at the Ladner Village Market in Delta, BC, on Sundays from 10am to 4pm, June through September. Provides an additional retail channel serving the Ladner/Delta community.
• Restaurant Produce Supply Fresh, seasonal fruits, vegetables, and garnishes supplied directly to local restaurants. Chefs subscribe to the fresh sheet program and can request produce by contacting the CSA manager. Featured partner restaurants include Burdock and Nero Tondo.
• Farm Tours Guided educational tours of the farm conducted on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from May to October. Tours cover the farm's history, sustainable growing practices, CSA model, food distribution, beehives, and orchard. 45 minutes to 1 hour duration, accommodating 10-50 people per tour. Donation-based ($10 per person recommended).
• Volunteer Programs Community volunteer engagement programs including Field Friends (drop-in Fridays May-September), Flower Power Team (flower growing and bouquet making, Wednesdays May-October), Group Volunteering (corporate team sessions at $450 booking deposit plus per-person fees), and Seniors Volunteering (garlic cleaning parties in partnership with Minoru Centre for Active Living). Over 600 volunteers participate annually.
• Group Volunteering (Corporate Teams) Structured corporate and youth group volunteer sessions at the farm on Friday afternoons, May through October. Pricing is $450 booking deposit (covering 10 participants) plus $45 per additional adult or $25 per additional youth, including farm tours and hands-on harvesting activities. Designed for team-building and community engagement.
• Richmond Garlic Fest Annual community festival celebrating sustainable agriculture and local garlic, attracting approximately 5,000 attendees from the Lower Mainland. Features live birds-of-prey demonstrations, children's activities, farmer's market, food vendors, and live entertainment. By donation, with proceeds supporting the farm's food security programs. Held at the farm location annually.
• Charitable Donations Charitable donations providing flexible funding for farm operations, multi-year projects, and skilled staff. As a registered charity (BN 863238515RR0001), the farm can issue tax receipts for donations. 100% of food dollars support the farm's food security mission.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate sponsorship program with three tiers: Tier 1 Sustain ($10,000+ annually for 3 years), Tier 2 Grow ($10,000+ annually), and Tier 3 Cultivate ($3,000+). Includes recognition across social media (5,700+ followers), weekly newsletter (3,200+ subscribers), logo placement on website and sponsors page, field-side signage, farm tour access, and Richmond Garlic Festival signage (5,000+ attendees). Higher tiers include complimentary group volunteering sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ lbs of produce shared annually to community food programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Richmond Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary food donation recipient receiving 20,000+ lbs of produce annually to distribute to food-insecure community members in Richmond
• Musqueam Free MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous community food program receiving produce donations; located on traditional Musqueam territory where the farm respectfully acknowledges and operates
• Richmond Family PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity food program recipient of produce donations
• Minoru Centre for Active LivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Minoru Centre and City of Richmond for seniors volunteering program including shuttle transportation for garlic cleaning parties
• Ladner Village MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWeekly Sunday market (10am-4pm, June-September) at 5028A 48th Avenue in Ladner Village; the farm participates as a vendor
• Earthworm FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer group that has participated in group volunteering sessions at the farm
• LafargeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer group that has participated in group volunteering sessions at the farm
• Nicola WealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer group that has participated in group volunteering sessions at the farm; also listed as Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation / Nicola Wealth Gives Back Fund
• YVR GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer group from Vancouver International Airport that has participated in group volunteering sessions at the farm
• MicrosoftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer group that has participated in group volunteering sessions at the farm
• Coast CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit union corporate volunteer group that has participated in multiple group volunteering sessions at the farm
• BC HousingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment corporate volunteer group that has participated in group volunteering sessions at the farm
• CytivaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer group that has participated in group volunteering sessions at the farm
• Central 1 Credit UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit union corporate volunteer group that has participated in group volunteering sessions at the farm
• BurdockminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal restaurant sourcing and featuring the farm's produce on their menu
• Nero TondominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichelin-recommended restaurant by Chefs Devon and Lucas hosting annual Long Table Dinner events at the farm featuring five-course vegetarian meals
• Tall Shadow BakeryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast Vancouver bakery (Hastings-Sunrise) hosting pop-up events at farmstand; founded by Dayle Kennedy and Cass Helps; known for sourdough with local organic grains
• GimjangminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKimchi company hosting fundraiser at the farm; $2 donated per jar sold; fresh, wild-fermented, MSG and preservative free kimchi

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• The Stop Community Food Centre: Toronto-based community food centre operating gardens, farmers markets, and food access programs for low-income communities — comparable nonprofit food access + sustainable agriculture + community engagement model.
• FoodShare Toronto: Toronto non-profit focused on food justice, community food access, and sustainable food systems through gardens, markets, and education — closely mirrors The Sharing Farm's nonprofit food-security mandate and educational programming.
• Not Far From The Tree: Toronto fruit-gl gleaning non-profit that picks, shares, and donates fruit from urban trees — similar volunteer-driven, donation-and-share food access model though focused on fruit rather than vegetable production.
• Sole Food Street Farms: Vancouver-based urban social enterprise farm that produces fruits and vegetables for sale to restaurants, farmers markets, and CSA members while addressing food access — directly comparable mission, geography, and multi-channel model.
• Fresh Roots: Vancouver-area non-profit operating schoolyard farms that produce food for sale and donation while running educational and volunteer programs — comparable farm-based nonprofit in the same regional market.

Broad incumbents

• Community Food Centres Canada: National umbrella organization supporting a network of community food centres across Canada — broader, federally-networked entity with overlapping food security and community agriculture mandate.

Emerging players

• Yummy Yards: Vancouver-based urban farming organization that builds edible gardens and offers volunteer programming — smaller-scale community farm with overlapping volunteer/mission model.

Regional players

• Growing Chefs! Ontario: London, Ontario-based food literacy charity pairing chefs with school gardens and local food — adjacent food-and-agriculture non-profit with similar volunteer-driven, education-and-food-access orientation in a different region.
• LifeCycles Project: Victoria, BC non-profit operating community gardens, fruit gleaning, and food literacy programs — comparable community farm/food access model in a different BC region.

Others

• Richmond Food Bank: Direct partner and primary recipient of The Sharing Farm's 20,000+ lbs annual produce donations — complementary ecosystem player (food distribution vs. food production) addressing the same food insecurity problem in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thesharingfarm
• Instagraminstagram.com/sharingfarm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-sharing-farm-society

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Sharing Farm Society