Summary

• Families, pregnant people and seniors living on lower incomes receive coupons from community partner organizations
• Coupons can be spent at participating farmers’ markets to buy vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, dairy, herbs, vegetable and fruit plants, honey, meat and fish  
• Delivered by the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, the BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program is an initiative strengthening local food systems throughout the province

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People in British Columbia will continue to have improved access to nutritious, locally grown foods through the B.C. Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program.

“Access to healthy food is one of the foundations of good health, and farmers’ markets are wonderful places where people can connect with local growers, support local businesses and enjoy the harvest of the season,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “The nutrition coupon program helps more people and families purchase fresh, local food at participating farmers’ markets, while supporting B.C. farmers and strengthening food security in communities throughout the province.”   

Strengthening local food systems

Delivered by the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets, the B.C. Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program is a healthy-eating initiative that strengthens local food systems throughout the province by providing an additional source of income for B.C. farmers during the market season.

“The program is helping more people access and enjoy fresh, nutritious food grown by B.C. farmers, while strengthening local food security and supporting producers and small businesses,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “B.C. farmers’ markets bring communities together to celebrate the delicious and unique flavours of each region, and the coupon program helps more B.C. families share and enjoy the experience.”

Farmers’ markets are a key focus each growing season in communities throughout the province, generating income for local economies, supporting farmers, small businesses and communities. Coupons can be used at any participating B.C. farmers’ market to purchase vegetables, fruits, eggs, dairy, herbs, plants, honey, meat and fish.

“We all want people to be able to access nutritious, healthy food in their communities,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “This funding helps more people, including seniors and families, put fresh food on the table, while also investing in local agriculture.”

Investing in healthy eating and supporting local farmers

The Province has committed $4.25 million in funding to the program. Households enrolled in the program may receive as much as $27 per week in coupons for as long as 16 weeks. The duration can vary based on the length of the farmers’ market season in the community.  

“The B.C. Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program has an incredible impact on the lives of so many people who participate, alongside B.C. farmers and our network of farmers’ markets and communities of all kinds across B.C.,” said Heather O’Hara, executive director, BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. “This is a program that for 15 years has continued to inspire and unite people and communities around healthy food, while sustaining our local food systems for future generations.”

The B.C. Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program operates in approximately 100 communities throughout the province, reaching families, seniors and pregnant people in approximately 8,200 households.

Quick Facts:

• The Ministry of Health has funded the B.C. Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program since 2012.
• In 2025, the coupon program supported approximately 8,200 households through approximately 240 community partners across almost 100 communities in B.C.
• The BC Association of Farmers’ Markets is a registered B.C. non-profit society that strengthens farmers’ markets, supports B.C. farmers and educates the public about choosing B.C.-grown products.
• There are nearly five million visits to B.C. farmers’ markets annually.
• The 2026 program is at capacity and no longer taking applications.

Learn More:

• To learn more about the BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program, visit: https://bcfarmersmarket.org/coupon-program/how-it-works/
• To learn more about Community Partners who provide coupons, visit: https://bcfarmersmarket.org/coupon-program/where-it-operates/