Those eligible can apply for the BC Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon program, which was recently bolstered with $4.25 million in provincial funding. In Nanaimo, the program is administered through the Nanaimo Foodshare Society. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

food security

$4.25M in funding bolsters Farmers Market coupon program

Jun 18, 2025 | 4:29 PM

NANAIMO — New funding is helping bolster a critical program connecting low-income households to top-quality, local food.

The BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program was awarded $4.25 million in provincial funds, announced Wednesday, June 18 in Nanaimo, to continue working to ensure all in the province have access to a stable, quality food supply.

Minister of agriculture and food Lana Popham said at the announcement, hosted at the midweek Island Roots Market at Beban Park, the coupon program is a major boost for families.

“This program is about healthy eating, but it’s also about bringing people together and making sure that people know that they’re part of a community, regardless. I’ve heard so many success stories around this coupon program, and I just I’m such a champion for it.”

Agriculture and food minister Lana Popham (right) flanked by two Nanaimo-area MLA’s Sheila Malcolmson (left) and George Anderson (centre). (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Seniors, low-income families and others can apply for the program, which runs for 16 weeks in 90 different communities and over 8,500 households across the province.

Locally, the Nanaimo Foodshare Society operates the program and will begin handing out the coupons next week.

Lisa Guizzo, finance manager for the organization, said last year they did 147 sets of coupons each week for four months, totally over $67,000.

“There’s three times as many applications as money to go around. To make it fair for everybody, this year we’re doing a draw system, so we’re going through…who’s eligible, and then we’re doing a draw to make it fair for everybody to have an opportunity to enjoy this program.”

Application information is available through the Nanaimo Foodshare website.

Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo-Gabriola MLA and minister of social development and poverty reduction, praised the market coupon program as a key driver in ensuring people don’t go without.

“We see the impacts of global inflation, of all the risk and acceleration of prices associated with the actions of Trump and the tariff threat in the south. The most vulnerable people in our communities are the ones that take the biggest hit when the price of food goes up.”

The coupons are able to be used at a number of local markets, including both Island Roots on Wednesdays and the Cedar Farmers Market on Sundays.

Residents on Gabriola Island will go through People for a Healthy Community to apply for and receive their market coupons.

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