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B.C. expands farmers' market food coupon program

The B.C. government has expanded a coupon program that helps lower-income residents and expectant mothers buy food at their local farmers market.
Farmers markets coupons
B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham and Health Minister Adrian Dix announce the expansion of a food-coupon program for low-income people Saturday at the Trout Lake Farmers Market in Vancouver.

The B.C. government has expanded a coupon program that helps lower-income residents and expectant mothers buy food at their local farmers market.

On Saturday, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced an additional $750,00 investment into the B.C. Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program, which will provide eligible households weekly coupons worth $21, up from $15. The ministers expect more than 3,900 participants by 2020, up from the current 3,708.

“It helps people come to the market who might not otherwise consider this a place to shop,” Dix told a small crowd at the opening day of the Trout Lake Farmers Market in Vancouver.

“It helps low-income people at a time when we have high inequality in our province and our government has given a focus to poverty reduction.”

As well, Dix said, the program supports farmers and farmers markets by bringing more customers their way, and provides health benefits by allowing more British Columbians to access whole fruits, vegetables and proteins.

Laura Smit of the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets, which represents more than 145 markets across the province, described the program a “thoughtful and effective initiative” to improve health and support farmers.

“It increases farmer access for over 700 small-scale B.C. farmers and ranchers,” she said. “It keeps the money in their communities and sustains their farms. It is, quite simply, an amazing program with far-reaching benefits.”

This year, the program runs from June 11 to Oct. 31. Participating households receive a total of $336 in coupons, up from $240, which they can bring to 57 participating farmers markets to buy fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts, eggs, dairy, herbs, meat and fish. Local service agencies and community associations help identify those who would benefit from the program.

The program began as a pilot project in 2007 and began receiving funding under the previous B.C. Liberal government in 2012. Donations are also accepted through the Vancity Community Foundation.

Find more information about applying for the coupons or participating in the program at bcfarmersmarket.org.