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BC Association of Farmers' Markets
Farmers' markets operate in every type of community across British Columbia from cities and suburbs to rural communities. Markets vary in size and sophistication, from large sheltered public markets to a few farmers with their trucks parked next to each other in a parking lot or farm field. Now that's fresh!
Programs :: Coupon Program
The Farmers' Market Nutrition and Coupon Project (FMNCP)
The Farmers' Market Nutrition & Coupon Project (FMNCP) is a provincial initiative of the BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM). The purpose of the FMNCP is to increase access to fresh BC-produced farm products for low-income pregnant women and low income families with children, complement existing cooking and skill building programs (CSB) and expand the awareness, use of and sales at BCAFM member farmers' markets.
The FMNCP started as a pilot project in 2007 in 5 communities around British Columbia, running for 15 weeks. In 2008, the project expanded to 10 communities and to 17 weeks. In 2009, the project expanded to 16 communities participating in a 17 week season.
The BCAFM regrets to announce that the FMNCP has been canceled for the 2010 season, due to lack of funding. A province wide initiative of the BCAFM, the FMNCP has brought dollars to local farmers & farmers' markets and supported close to 3000 low income families and children in accessing local, nutritious food since its inception in 2007.
The BCAFM will re-evaluate the FMNCP as the economic climate shifts and more funds become available.
How the project works
BCAFM member Farmers' Markets are matched with one or more community agencies running a cooking and skill building program for low income families with children and/or low income pregnant women. The coupons are distributed weekly to the participating families as part of their cooking & skill building programs. Families are able to use the coupons to purchase qualifying foods: market fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy, fish, poultry, nuts and fresh cut herbs. The coupons are treated like cash, but no change is given should the purchase fall below the value of the coupon(s) used. Vendors are cashed out at the end of each Market. A cash advance is provided to each participating Market to facilitate the cashing out of vendors.
Participating markets are required to provide weekly online reports. This is an important element to the ongoing evaluation of the FMNCP, measuring success and addressing challenges as they arise. Failure to complete weekly online reports and submit coupons for redemption in a timely manner could result in the Market being removed from the Farmers' Market Nutrition & Coupon Project.
FMNCP In The News
See Media page
More FMNCP information
2009 Farmers' Market Partnership Criteria & Application (190 KB)
Final Evaluation Report, Dec 21/07 (1.1 MB)
