Image: Fresh berries at Farmer's Market / dreamstime
OPINION

YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Farmer’s Market Nutrition Coupon Program

Jun 30, 2023 | 7:47 PM

It’s farmers’ market season in British Columbia!

Not only are farmers’ markets an excellent way to spend a morning or afternoon connecting in your community, but they are also wonderful places to buy healthy local foods.

That’s why our government is continuing to support and expand the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program to help more households purchase healthy, locally-grown food.

This funding from the province is distributed by the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets and their community partners by providing coupons to lower-income households, people who are pregnant, and seniors.

In 2021, the program reached 6,684 households, including 1,982 seniors. That number nearly doubled the following year to 10,152 households, including 4,091 seniors.

Last year, our government provided new funding to the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets to expand access to healthy, locally grown food; this includes increasing the weekly coupon rate by $6 a week.

Because of this program, nearly 20,000 people across 85 communities have been able to purchase the best-quality, home-grown foods at their local markets.

Not only does this help people with their grocery bills, but it also ensures that local farmers and food producers have a stable source of revenue.

Farmers’ markets provide more than just food. They are often bustling community hubs full of local makers, musicians and innovative local businesses. They are places where you get to say hello to your neighbours, watch your children’s faces light up, and learn about the projects happening where you live, and the people behind them.

I love visiting the local farmers’ market at my home in Mission, and neighbouring markets in Abbotsford and the rest of the Fraser Valley.

I am wishing everyone a wonderful summer at local events, including their local Farmers’ Market, and if you have questions about our government’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program, check out the BC Farmers’ Market website.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of Fraser Valley Today or Pattison Media.