B.C.'s agriculture minister was at a farmers' market in Nanaimo today to have a look at local farm-fresh products and share details about a government coupon program.
Lana Popham, minister of agriculture and food, was at the Island Roots Farmers' Market at Beban Park on Wednesday, June 18, to talk about the B.C. Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program.
The coupon program, supporting low-income families and individuals has been funded through the B.C. health ministry for more than a decade, starting in 2011 with $760,00, and this year the province is providing $4.25 million to offer up to $27 a week in coupons per household to use at participating farmers' markets.
"This program helps people on a low income get fresh and nutritious food grown by local farmers," said Popham in a press release. "I'm so thankful farmers in B.C. participate in this program, helping to build community and sharing the bounty of their hard work."
According to the B.C. government, the program, delivered in partnership with the B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets, operates in more than 90 communities and reaches more than 8,500 households.
Peter LeBlanc, B.C. Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program manager, said the money is distributed among farmers' markets depending on their size, and some farmers' markets "punch above their weight" in delivering affordable food for people in need.
"You go to Hazelton, a small community, and they're seeing about $40,000 come through their market, because they've got a lot of need and some really great partners and a good market too," LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc said Hazelton is one of the program's more remote markets, but the program is adding Bella Coola this year.
"We all want people to be able to access nutritious, healthy food in their communities," said Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. minister of social development and poverty reduction, in the release. "Our funding will help more people, including seniors and families, put fresh food on the table, while also investing in local agriculture."
All three Nanaimo-area farmers' markets participate in the program: Island Roots, Cedar Farmers' Market and Gabriola Farmers' Market.
