Increasing Local Access to Local Food
If you would like to know how to sign up, please call 250-748-8506 or email info@cowichangreencommunity.org!
Starting in 2013, the Cowichan Green Community (CGC) had the opportunity to team-up with the City Square Market Society to administer the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program in the Cowichan Region. An initiative of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets and funded by Healthy Families BC, the program seeks to provide low-income families and seniors with coupons to spend at their local farmers’ market.
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program supports low-income families, pregnant people, and seniors by providing weekly coupons redeemable at participating farmers’ markets. Each week, this program supports 130 households who receive $27 in coupons to spend on local, fresh produce, dairy, eggs and meat, all supporting local growers and food producers. The program provides 16 weeks of coupons to all participants.
Funds provided give access to local produce, eggs, nuts, herbs, dairy, fish, and meat from vendors at the market and are accompanied with weekly nutritional information and recipes on highlighted fruits or vegetables in season. They also have access to various skill and food literacy building activities offered through the market, and other community partners.
A win-win for both local producers and local families, feedback from the project participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Ted, a resident of Duncan, BC states,
“It was great to participate in the Farmers Market Coupon Program for a short while and reap the benefits of fresh local vegetable and fruit. The coupons helped me a great deal regarding how I could eat and I am sure my health benefited immensely. Hopefully other seniors will be selected.”
For further details, please contact info@cowichangreencommunity.org or call 250-748-8506.