Lower-income families, seniors and pregnant women will continue to have easier access to healthy, locally grown food, thanks to an additional $750,000 investment in a successful farmers’ market coupon program, Health Minister Terry Lake announced today.

“Eating fresh, nutritious food is a big part of staying healthy and avoiding chronic illness,” said Lake. “But, for those most in need, accessing affordable, local foods can be a challenge. This program makes the healthy choice easier and helps improve the health of B.C. families.”

The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program provides coupons that can be used like cash at participating markets throughout British Columbia. Each week, program participants receive $15 worth of coupons to purchase locally grown fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy, nuts, and herbs.

In order to receive the coupons, participants take part in free nutrition and skills building programs offered by community agencies that have partnered with each participating market. These programs teach participants how to incorporate farmers’ market foods into their everyday diet.

“With the number of B.C. farmers’ markets having more than doubled in the past 10 years, it’s clear that more and more British Columbians are recognizing the value of local food,” said Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick. “The Coupon Program not only helps increase access to healthy food for those in need, it helps raise awareness of the importance of supporting our hard-working farmers.”

Fifteen new markets have been added to the Coupon Program this season, for a total of 49 participating markets located throughout the province. This year’s funding will go towards sustaining the program beyond 2015.

“Both local farmers and local families have benefitted from the ongoing success of the Coupon Program,” said Jon Bell, president, BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. “We couldn’t be happier that the program has been expanded this year and will be continuing into next year and beyond.”

The program is expected to support about 3,500 families and seniors, with an estimated 10,000 individuals benefitting in 2014. The $750,000 in funding builds on the $4 million investment provided in 2012 and 2013.

The Nutrition Coupon Program runs for 16 weeks, from July through October 2014, and is administered by the BC Association of 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. The BC Association of Farmers’ Markets accepts joint applications from farmers’ markets and community agencies on a yearly basis for the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program.

Learn More:

For more information on the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program, or to locate a farmers’ market in your community, visit: www.bcfarmersmarket.org

For more information on Healthy Families BC, visit: www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

BACKGROUNDER

Farmers’ markets participating in the coupon program
*Denotes a new market for 2014

FRASER HEALTH

Abbotsford Farm and Country Market
Location: Outside the United church at Montrose Ave. and George Ferguson Way, downtown Abbotsford.
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: Abbotsford Community Services, Best for Babies

Burnaby Farmers' Market
Location: Burnaby City Hall (north parking lot), 4949 Canada Way at Deer Lake Parkway
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community Partners: Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion and Burnaby Family Life

Coquitlam Farmers Market
Location: In the parking lot of Dogwood Pavilion, 624 Poirier St. at Winslow
Hours: Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: Westcoast Family Centres Society

Langley Community Farmers Market
Location: Kwantlen University Courtyard (Langley campus), 20901 Langley Bypass
Hours: Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Community Partner: Langley Senior Resources Society

Maple Ridge: Haney Farmers Market*
Location: Memorial Peace Park at 224th St.
Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community Partner: Golden Ears FEAST

Mission City Farmers Market
Location: Mission Community Library Parking Lot - 33247 2nd Ave.
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: Long-term Inmates Now in the Community Society

New Westminster: Royal City Farmers Market
Location: Tipperary Park, 4th St. and Royal Ave.
Hours: Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Community Partners: Burnaby Family Life, Spirit of the Children Society and Seniors Services Society

Port Coquitlam Farmers Market
Location: 2252 Leigh Square, off Shaughnessy Street between McAllister and Wilson avenues
Hours: Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Community Partner: Wilson Centre Seniors Advisory Association

Surrey Urban Farmers Market
Location: Surrey City Hall Plaza, 13450 104th Ave.
Hours: Wednesdays, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Community Partners: Oak Avenue Neighbourhood Hub, UMOJA Operation Compassion Society, and Ministry of Social Development's Family and Youth Partnership (Surrey)

White Rock Farmers' Market*
Location: Miramar Plaza, 15154 Russell Ave.
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: Sources Community Resource Centre

INTERIOR HEALTH

100 Mile House: South Cariboo Farmers' Market
Location: 100 Mile House Community Hall, 3rd St. and Birch Ave.
Hours: Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Community Partner: Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre

Armstrong Farmers' Market
Location: Interior Provincial Exhibition Fairgrounds, 3371 Pleasant Valley Rd.
Hours: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community Partner: Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs

Clearwater Farmers Market*
Location: 73 Old North Thompson Hwy Rd.
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community Partner: Yellowhead Community Services

Cranbrook Farmer’s Market
Location: 10th Avenue South, Downtown adjacent to Rotary Park
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: Community Connections Society of Southeast BC

Kamloops Regional Farmers' Market
Location: Wednesday market is held in the 400 block of Victoria Street, in front of the library; Saturday market is held in the 200 block of St Paul Street and the Stuart Wood schoolyard
Hours: Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Community Partner: Interior Community Services and Oncore Central Services

Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market
Location: Dilworth Dr. and Springfield Rd.
Hours: Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partners: The Bridge Youth and Family Services and Kelowna Community Food Bank Society

Lytton: Two Rivers Farmers' Market*
Location: 4th St. at Main St.
Hours: Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Community Partner: Lytton First Nation (Health Department)

Merritt: Nicola Valley Farmers' Market*
Location: Voght St. and Merrit Ave.
Hours: Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community Partner: Nicola Valley and District Food Bank Society

Nelson Downtown Local Market
Location: 400 block of Baker St.
Hours: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community Partners: Kootenay Kids Society and Seniors Coordinating Society

Penticton Farmers' Market
Location: 100 block of Main St.
Hours: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: Okanagan Boys and Girls Club

Revelstoke Farmers' Market
Location: Grizzly Plaza
Hours: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: Community Connections (Revelstoke)

Salmon Arm: Shuswap Farm and Craft Market*
Location: 5th St. and 5th Ave
Hours: Tuesdays and Fridays 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Community Partner: Shuswap Family Resource

Vernon Farmers' Market
Location: 4900-27th St. (North end of the Village Green Parking lot)
Hours: Mondays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: Vernon First Nations Friendship Centre

NORTHERN HEALTH

Fort St. James Farmers' Market*
Location: Spirit Square, Stuart Drive
Hours: Fridays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Community Partner: College of New Caledonia

Fort St. John Farmer’s Market*
Location: Fort St. John Curling Club
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community Partner: Northern Health - Home and Community Care

Hazelton Farmers’ Market
Location: Hazelton Area Visitor Information Centre, Highways 16 and 62
Hours: Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community Partner: Storytellers Foundation

Houston: Pleasant Valley Community Market
Location: Steelhead Park on Highway 16
Hours: Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community Partners: Houston Link to Learning and the Dze L K'ant Friendship Centre - Houston Program Office

Prince George Farmers' Market
Location: Wilson Square, 3rd and George St.
Hours: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community Partner: Prince George Native Friendship Centre and Elizabeth Fry Society - Best for Babies

Quesnel Farmer’s Market
Location: Helen Dixon Centre Grounds, corner of Kinchant St. and Carson St.
Hours: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: North Cariboo Aboriginal Family Program Society

Smithers: Bulkley Valley Farmers' Market
Location: Corner of Highway 16 and Main St. at Central Park
Hours: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community Partners: Smithers Pregnancy Outreach Program and Smithers Salvation Army

Terrace: Skeena Valley Farmer's Market*
Location: Market St. beside George Little Park
Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community Partner: Kalum Community School Society

VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH

North Vancouver: Lonsdale Quay Farmers' Market
Location: 123 Carrie Cates Court at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue
Hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community Partner: New Hope Community Kitchen (Salvation Army)

Pemberton Farmers Market
Location: Community Barn, 7437 Frontier St.
Hours: Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Community Partners: Sea to Sky Community Services and Canadian Diabetes Association - Food Skills for Families

Powell River's Open Air Farmers' Market
Location: 4365 McLeod Rd.
Hours: Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sundays, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Community Partners: Powell River Family Place, and Babies Open New Doors (BOND)

Robert's Creek: The Farm Gate Market*
Location: Robert’s Creek Community Hall
Hours: Wednesdays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Community Partner: Sunshine Coast Community Services Centre, Sechelt Health Unit

Sechelt Farmers' and Artisans' Market
Location: Cowrie Street
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Community Partners: Sunshine Coast Community Services Centre, Sechelt Health Unit, Sechelt First Nation and Sechelt Seniors

Squamish Farmers' Market
Location: Downtown - corner of Cleveland Ave. and Victoria St.
Hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community Partner: Sea to Sky Community Services

Vancouver Farmers Markets:

Location: Trout Lake (East Vancouver),Hendry Park at Trout Lake
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: West End, 1100 block of Comox Street
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Main Street, 1100 block Station Street along Thornton Park
Hours: Wednesdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Kitsilano, 2690 Larch St. at 10th Ave.
Hours: Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Kerrisdale, East Boulevard between 37th & 41st Ave.
Hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community Partners: Hastings Community Association, Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House, Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Gordon Neighbourhood House, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House

West Vancouver: Ambleside Farmers' Market
Location: 1500 Bellevue Ave.
Hours: Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community Partner: New Hope Community Kitchen (Salvation Army)

Whistler Farmers Market*
Location: 4545 Blackcomb Way - base of Blackcomb Mountain
Hours: Wednesdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Community Partner: Whistler Community Services Society

ISLAND HEALTH

Courtenay: Comox Valley Farmers' Market
Location: Wednesday market is held at England Ave. between 5th and 6th; Thursday market is held at 1761 Comox Ave.; Saturday market is held at the Exhibition Grounds, 4835 Headquarters Rd.
Hours: Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays (every third Thursday) 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community Partner: Comox Valley Family Services Association

Duncan Farmers’ Market
Location: The City Square and Ingram St.
Hours: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Community Partner: Cowichan Green Community Society

Nanaimo: Bowen Road Farmers Market*
Location: Beban Park
Hours: Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Community Partner: Nanaimo Foodshare Society

Port Alberni Farmers' Market
Location: First Baptist Church Gymnasium
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community Partners: Vancouver Island Health Authority and Integrated Health Network

Qualicum Beach Farmers Market*
Location: Corner of Verterans Way and Memorial Ave.
Hours: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community Partner: Parksville Baby & Me Early Years Program

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers' Market
Location: Ganges - Centennial Park
Hours: Tuesday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Community Partner: Salt Spring Island Community Services

Port Alberni: Spirit Square Farmers' Market*
Location: Harbour Quay, 5440 Argyle St.
Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community Partners: Vancouver Island Health Authority and Integrated Health Network

Victoria: Moss Street Market
Location: 1330 Fairfield Rd.
Hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community Partners: Victoria Native Friendship Centre and Ministry of Social Development's Family and Youth Partnership (Victoria)

Victoria: Oaklands Sunset Market*
Location: 1-2827 Belmont Ave (Community Centre)
Hours: Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Community Partners: The Cridge Centre for the Family and Victoria Integrated Health Network

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)