Prince George, B.C. – The provincial government is kicking another $2 million into a program that provides lower-income families, pregnant women and seniors with coupons for locally produced food.

 

The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program runs from July through October 2013 and is administered by the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. 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 – participants must be enrolled with these community agencies to participate in the program.

 

This year, the program has added 13 new markets for a total of 34 participating markets located throughout the province. Coupons are treated like cash at the participating markets and can be used to purchase a variety of B.C. food products including fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, dairy and herbs.

 

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 people.  Participants then gain the skills and knowledge needed to help them eat healthier and make the most of their local farmers’ markets.

 

Farmers’ markets participating in the coupon program include: