Be sure to click the links in blue text below to learn more!

Taste of Abby Serves Up Taste Around Abby

Taste Around Abby is a brand-new addition to the Taste of Abby experience and offers a unique two-week culinary experience from January 21⁠–February 4, 2026. Local restaurants will feature exclusive three-course, fixed-price menus that highlight Abbotsford’s vibrant food scene and showcase the creativity of our chefs. Whether you’re a foodie or simply looking for a new dining adventure, this is your chance to explore the best of Abbotsford.

Participating partners are Restaurant 62, Amici Italian Wine Bar and Piccolo Pizzeria, Tasty Indian Bistro, The Table Bistro, Bow and Stern, and Ministère of Seafood.

Business Community Events

Leaders Lunch: Join the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) on February 9 for their Economic Outlook and Housing Forum event.

Boosting Sales When Cash is Tight: BDC is hosting a webinar on February 18. Join BDC's Chief Economist, Pierre Cléroux and BDC experts and hear actionable advice on how to succeed in a slow market.

Go! Abbotsford is your go-to event calendar for the latest happenings in Abbotsford. Whether you’re into performing arts, agricultural experiences, or the buzz of major festivals, there’s never a dull moment in this vibrant community.

2026 Artist in Residence: Applications Now Open

Calling all artists! Applications are now open for the City of Abbotsford 2026 Artist in Residence: Exploring Knowledge. This self-directed residency features a collaboration with Abbotsford Libraries, FVRL to encourage community engagement and the exploration of knowledge in all its forms through art. The residency runs from May – October, 2026. Applications are now open and will be accepted until March 8, 2026 Apply Now.

Mayor and Council Updates

Mayor and Council are actively involved in our community representing the City at local events, openings, tours, and meetings with senior levels of government and other stakeholders. View some of the important work being done by your City Council by checking out the most recent council briefs and blogs as well as photos of Council in the city! Subscribe to receive Council updates to your inbox.

UFV's New Micro-credentials

UFV’s new Micro-Credential Program is designed for working professionals. These short, practical programs are offered online, hybrid, and in person, and are structured to fit around full-time work schedules.

The dates listed below reflect the initial scheduled offerings. For companies interested in training their employees in any of these areas, UFV can work with organizations to adjust delivery dates and times to better align with operational needs.

• Business Process Management - February 20 to February 22
  • Learn how to identify inefficiencies in business processes, reduce delays and waste, and improve performance while lowering operational costs.
• Project Management: PMP Prep - February 21 to April 5
  • Prepare employees to manage projects more effectively using industry-standard tools and frameworks aligned with PMP requirements.
• Business Applications of Excel: February 9 to March 13    
  • Build practical Excel skills to analyze data, automate routine tasks, and support faster, more informed business decisions.
•  Sustainable Healthcare: February 16 to March 20    
  • Help healthcare organizations improve sustainability, reduce costs, and better manage resources while maintaining quality of care.

For questions or help with registration, email: FBC@ufv.ca

*UFV is offering discounted pricing for Abbotsford Chamber members across all Winter 2026 micro-credential courses listed above. Discounts will vary based on remaining seat availability and, in some cases, can be significant as they work to fill remaining seats. 

Agricultural Enhancement Grants

Abbotsford Community Foundation's Agricultural Enhancement Grants are offered in partnership with the City of Abbotsford for the purpose of supporting local agriculture. In 2026, they will be launching two granting streams to support different types of projects that support Abbotsford’s agricultural industry. Funding available is specific to the type of project funded.

February 18 - Granting Stream #1

This is a matching grant for a sector wide initiative, open to agriculture associations, research institutions, or other non-profit organizations who are looking to do this work in Abbotsford in support of one of the identified areas listed below.

• Address sector wide threats
• Solve supply chain issues
• Streamline regulatory compliance
• Address climate change
• Agricultural education
• Develop new product opportunities
   
• Up to $100,000 Grant
• Closes on March 31

October - Granting Stream #2

This is a matching grant for individual farmers, processors, or producers who are based in Abbotsford and have partnered with a research institution to ensure knowledge from the project is shared freely for others to learn from. The grant is for projects specific to local farms and food processing facilities located in Abbotsford.

• New product development
• New crops/crop diversification
• Value added agricultural innovations
• Entrepreneurial farm practices to enhance market growth
   
• Up to $50,000 Grant
• Closes end of November

If you have questions about our Agricultural Enhancement Grants or are considering applying, please contact Areni – arenik@abbotsfordcf.org 

Disaster Financial Assistance Now Available for Eligible Flood-Impacted Properties

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is now available for eligible people, businesses and communities in southwestern British Columbia affected by flooding from the heavy rainfall December 10-19, 2025. 

• An online DFA application portal is available to private and public sector applicants, making applications quicker, easier
• The deadline to apply is April 13, 2026

City Waives Fees and Expedites Permits for Flood-Impacted Properties

To support property owners in Sumas Prairie impacted by the flood with the recovery and restoration process, the City of Abbotsford is waiving building permit fees and expediting permit processing.

In total, 485 properties across Sumas Prairie were placed under Evacuation Order. As residents prepare to return home, Abbotsford City Council has authorized temporary measures to help reduce financial strain and expedite the permitting process for demolition, restoration and reconstruction of flood-damaged homes, barns and other structures.

Until December 24, 2026, for properties identified within the Eligible Properties Area Map, the City will:

• Prioritize restoration building permits through an “over-the-counter” building permit process;
• Expedite demolition permits and building permits for structural repairs, with a review and issuance target of two working days or less;
• Expedite building permits for reconstruction of accessory structures, such as barns or sheds, with a review and issuance target of five working days, and;
• Waive flood restoration building permit and demolition permit fees.

Table Talk

Table Talk offers a forum to promote and share news focused on economic development including business resources and grants, programs, updates and events for the business community. The mission of Table Talk is to cultivate and grow economic development relationships.

We want to hear from you! Email us at econdev@abbotsford.ca to learn more about the Table or to share your news via Table Talk.