KELOWNA – The B.C. Government is investing a further $2-million in funding to expand the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program. This funding will provide lower-income seniors and families in Kelowna with the tools they need to access to locally grown produce and food products and support improved healthy eating behaviours.

Local Farmers’ Market Participating in the Program:
Market: Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market
Location: Dilworth and Springfield Rd.
Hours: Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cooking & Skill Building Program:
The Bridge Youth and Family Services
Kelowna Community Food Bank Society

Why This Matters:
-  The program offers $15 worth of coupons each week to individuals and families enrolled in the nutrition and skills building programs offered by community agencies associated with each participating market.

-  Coupons are treated like cash and can be used to purchase a variety of B.C. food products including fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, dairy and herbs.

-  The program is expected to support about 1,300 families and 400 seniors in 2013 and will continue to expand.

-  This year the program has added 13 new markets for a total of 34 participating markets located throughout the province.

-  The $2-million in funding provided through the Provincial Health Services Authority in 2013 builds on an initial $2-million investment in 2012.

Quotes:
“The agriculture industry in Kelowna produces world-class food products, and we are fortunate to be able to support those in our community who will benefit most from this $2-million investment in our food producers and families.”
-          Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country

“This is a great opportunity to provide lower-income families and seniors with nutritious local produce, while supporting Kelowna-area food producers and the local economy.”
-          Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission

Quick Facts:
-  The coupon program runs from July through October 2013 and is administered by the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets.

-  To participate in the program, farmers’ markets partner with a community agency that works to provide nutrition, cooking, or healthy lifestyle skills building programs to lower income British Columbians. Participants then gain the skills and knowledge needed to help them eat healthier and make the most of their local farmers’ markets.

-  The BC Association of Farmers' Markets is a provincially registered, non-profit association, which represents farmers' markets throughout the province. At member markets, the focus is on selling locally grown or processed farm-fresh foods and vendors must either make, bake or grow the products they sell.

Learn More:
-  For more information on the Farmers’ Market Nutrition and Coupon Program, Farmers Appreciation Week, or to locate a farmers’ markets in your community, visit: www.bcfarmersmarket.org

News from © iNFOnews, 2013