Province says number of households participating in program is expected to rise to over 3,900
The B.C. government is expanding a program that provides healthy, locally grown food to low-income residents and expectant mothers.
Health Minister Adrian Dix announced Saturday that the B.C. Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program will receive an extra $750,000.
“Farmers’ markets support better nutrition, as well as local entrepreneurs and growers throughout B.C.,” Dix said.
That means eligible households will now receive $336 in weekly coupons to help them purchase local food — including fruits and vegetables, dairy and eggs — from farmers markets between June 11 and October 31.
The program is administered by the B.C. Association of Farmers Markets, which offers the coupons to participants enrolled in nutrition and skills-building programs at various community agencies.
The province says the number of households participating in the program is expected to rise to over 3,900 from 3,708 by March 2020.
The program includes participating farmers markets from across B.C.
