The B.C. Farmer's Market Coupon program is helping to get nutritious, local food into the hands of low income families.
Image Credit: SOURCE/Facebook
July 20, 2013 - 4:02 PM
KAMLOOPS - People who can’t afford to buy locally grown food are getting help from the provincial taxpayers.
The B.C. Government is spending an extra $2 million on the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program.
“We know that having access to healthy, fresh foods makes a huge difference in health,” said Health Minister and Kamloops MLA Terry Lake. “Unfortunately for some it can be hard to access these nutritious necessities.
“This program will improve access to locally produced food for those most in need,” according to Lake.
The program runs from July to October and offers $15 worth of coupons a week to people already enrolled in nutrition and skills building programs offered by community agencies.
The Farmers’ Market Coupon program expanded this year to include 13 new markets for a total of 34 across the province.
The coupons are treated like cash and can be used to buy fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, nuts and dairy products.
“This program had great success last year and we are thrilled that it’s expanding this year,” said B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets president Jon Bell.
In the Thompson-Okanagan, there are 5 participating farmers’ markets in Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Armstrong and Kamloops.
To contact the reporter for this story, call (250) 491-0331 or email halexander@infotelnews.ca.
Province inject $2 million into food stamp-like program that gives low-income people access to farmers' markets.
Image Credit: SOURCE/B.C. Farmers' Market Association
News from © iNFOnews, 2013