BC cuts fresh-produce subsidies

Macdonald defends farmers’ market coupon project. BC Liberals cut funding that provided fresh produce to low-income families.

In his response to the budget speech yesterday, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald spoke out in support of an innovative program that has been slashed by the BC Liberal budget.

“The Farmers’ Market Coupon project was a great idea that provided fresh fruits and vegetables to food bank users, supporting healthy eating habits as well as local farmers. It was a win-win situation,” said Macdonald.

The program which operated in 16 communities, including Revelstoke and Nelson, increased access to high quality food for low-income residents, supported local food growers and assisted communities in developing food security.

“This program is exactly the direction we should be moving in as a society. We should be promoting healthy food choices and developing our capacity to provide local foods to our communities.

“This program had measurably positive outcomes at a very low cost, and cutting the program at this point doesn’t make any kind of sense.”

Supporting local food producers and providing opportunities for access to local foods has been priority for Macdonald since his election in 2005.

“I feel strongly that we have to protect and promote local food growers and this program was a way to bring together two compatible aims; feeding children healthy food and increasing local food security.

“It is just this kind of backward thinking on the part of this government that is so out of step with the beliefs of the residents of this area.”

Victoria
March 4, 2010
Norm Macdonald MLA
Columbia River – Revelstoke

Backgrounder

The farmers’ market coupon program is an initiative of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets and was funded by the provincial government through the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

16 communities participated in the 2009 season.

The season lasts 17 weeks (June 30th to October 31st).

1009 families participated in the program in 2008.

Each family receives a $15 coupon to spend at participating farmers’ markets.

Participants also take part in cooking and skill building programs related to purchases.

97% redemption rate in 2008 across the province. Revelstoke had a 100% redemption rate on coupons.

In 2008, the project met outlined goals, and exceeded expectations in some areas.

Benefits:

• Increased access to unprocessed, nutritious, local farm products for low income British Columbians
• Increased nutritional knowledge of participants
• Increased fresh food preparation skills
• Heightened profile of farmers’ markets in local communities
• Participating vendors experienced increased sales
• Increased capacity for food security

Cost for coupons in 2007 was $7000 per community.

A honourarium of $575 is provided to each participating farmers’ market.