Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about GrownLocal.ca.
For Visitors
What is GrownLocal.ca?
GrownLocal.ca is a Canadian directory and interactive map that helps you discover local food producers near you farms, growers, beekeepers, bakers, and more. Browse by location or product category and connect directly with the people who grow your food.
Is GrownLocal.ca free to use?
Yes, completely free for visitors. Browse the map, search for producers, and view profiles at no cost.
Can I buy food directly through GrownLocal.ca?
GrownLocal.ca is a discovery platform we connect you with local producers, but transactions happen directly between you and the producer. Visit their profile to find their contact information, website, or social media.
How do I find producers near me?
Use the interactive map on the Browse page to explore producers across Canada. You can filter by province, product category, or search by farm name. Pan and zoom the map to explore different areas, then click 'Search this area' to update the list.
Are all producers on the map verified?
Every producer listing is manually reviewed and approved by our team before appearing on the map. We verify that submissions are legitimate local food producers based in Canada. Some listings are added by our team using publicly available information and marked as 'unclaimed' until the real owner verifies and claims them.
What does "Available This Month" mean?
Many producers set which months they typically have products available — for example, a berry farm might mark June through August. When you filter by 'Available This Month,' you'll only see producers who've marked themselves as active right now, so you don't waste a trip on an out-of-season farm.
What is the Founding Producer badge?
The first 100 producers approved on GrownLocal.ca earn a 🌱 Founding Producer badge on their profile, recognizing them as early supporters of the platform.
How do I save farms I like?
Click the heart icon (🤍) on any producer's profile or card to save them. Your saved farms are stored in your browser — no account needed — and you can view them anytime from the 'Saved' link in the header.
Can I install GrownLocal.ca as an app on my phone?
Yes. On iPhone, tap the Share icon in Safari and choose 'Add to Home Screen.' On Android, open the site in Chrome and tap 'Install app' when prompted (or use the menu → 'Add to Home screen'). This adds a GrownLocal.ca icon to your phone that opens like a regular app.
How do I leave a review for a producer?
Visit the producer's profile page and scroll to the reviews section. Leave a star rating and a comment. Reviews are moderated before appearing publicly, and producers can respond to reviews from their dashboard.
For Producers
How do I get my farm listed?
Click 'List Your Farm' on our homepage or Browse page and fill out the registration form. Your listing will be reviewed and approved within 1–2 business days. Once approved, you'll receive an email confirmation and appear on the map automatically.
Is a basic listing free?
Yes. A free listing includes your farm name, description, address, product categories, contact information, website, social media links, and a single photo. Your farm will appear as a pin on the map and in search results.
What does a Featured listing include?
Featured listings start at $9/month or $79/year. You get priority placement at the top of the map in your area, a gold border and ⭐ Featured badge on your listing, a 6-photo gallery on your profile, and a larger card that stands out in search results.
What is a Seasonal Boost?
A Seasonal Boost pins your listing to the top of results for 7 days ($12) or 14 days ($20). It's a one-time purchase — great for farmers markets, harvest season, or any time you want a surge in visibility without committing to a monthly plan.
How long does approval take?
We review all submissions within 1–2 business days. You'll receive an email once your listing is approved.
How do I log in to manage my listing?
Go to grownlocal.ca/manage/login and enter the email address you registered with. We'll send you a secure magic link — no password needed. Click the link in your email and you'll be taken straight to your producer dashboard.
What can I update in my producer dashboard?
From your dashboard you can update your farm name, description, phone, website, Instagram, Facebook, and product categories. Featured producers can also manage their photo gallery (up to 6 photos). Changes go live immediately.
Can I change my profile photo?
Yes. In your dashboard, click Edit and you'll see an option to upload a new photo or remove your current one.
How do I upgrade to a Featured listing?
From your producer dashboard, click 'Upgrade to Featured' and choose a monthly or annual plan. Payment is handled securely by Stripe. Your listing is upgraded instantly after payment.
How do I cancel my Featured subscription?
Log in to your producer dashboard at grownlocal.ca/manage/login. Under 'Listing Status', click 'Manage / Cancel Subscription'. This takes you to a secure Stripe portal where you can cancel, update your payment method, or download invoices. Your listing reverts to free at the end of your billing period.
How do I delete my listing?
Log in to your dashboard and scroll to the bottom. Click 'Delete my listing' and confirm. If you have an active Featured subscription, cancel it first before deleting your profile.
What types of producers can list on GrownLocal.ca?
Any Canadian food producer is welcome — farms, market gardens, orchards, beekeepers, small-batch food makers, bakers, cheesemakers, and more. We focus on producers who grow, raise, or make food directly.
What is the Referral Program, and how do I earn a free month?
Every producer has a unique referral link, found in your dashboard. When someone you refer submits a listing and gets approved, you automatically earn one free month of a Featured subscription. Your free month is applied as trial days the next time you upgrade — no code needed.
How do I post updates to my followers?
Customers can follow your farm from your profile page. From your dashboard, you can post seasonal announcements (e.g. 'strawberries are ready!') and they'll be emailed directly to everyone following you.
How do I set which months I'm available?
In your dashboard, click the month grid under 'Availability' and select the months your farm typically has products ready. This powers the 'Available This Month' filter shoppers use to find fresh producers right now.
What are Quick Facts (delivery, pre-order, cash-only, parking)?
Quick Facts are simple yes/no details shoppers often want to know before visiting — whether you deliver, require pre-orders, only accept cash, or have on-site parking. Set them in your dashboard and they'll show as icons on your public profile.
I got an email saying my farm is already listed on GrownLocal.ca — what is that?
We sometimes add basic listings for real Canadian farms using publicly available information, to help populate the map before every producer has signed up themselves. If you received an invite, you can claim your free listing in a couple of clicks to take ownership, add your own photos and details, and manage it going forward. If it's not your farm, or you'd rather not be listed, the email includes a one-click link to remove it — no need to sign up for anything.
What is a Sponsored Category, and how is it different from Featured?
A Sponsored Category gives you the very top spot for a specific product category within your province (e.g. Honey in Ontario), even above Featured producers, for 30 or 90 days. It's a targeted boost for one category, while Featured is a broader, ongoing upgrade to your whole listing.
Technical & Account
What if my address doesn't show correctly on the map?
Contact us at hello@grownlocal.ca and we'll manually adjust your pin location.
I didn't receive my magic login link. What do I do?
Check your spam or junk folder first. The link expires after 1 hour, so if it's been a while, go back to grownlocal.ca/manage/login and request a new one. If you still have trouble, contact us at hello@grownlocal.ca.
Is my personal information safe?
Yes. We take privacy seriously and are committed to PIPEDA compliance. Please see our Privacy Policy for full details on how we collect and use data.