More islanders can buy baking, hot food, preserves and other treats at local farmers markets this year.
Thanks to a nearly $20,000 grant for food-systems transformation, local students, seniors, and people in need can pick up $10 coupons for all kinds of food items at the farmers markets still running in Daajing Giids, Port Clements, and Masset.
For many years, another $20,000 grant from the BC Farmers Market Association has funded vouchers for fruits, vegetables, and any fish or eggs sold at the markets.
But because those vouchers could only be spent on fresh food, not on baking, preserves, or hot lunches, the program left some vendors and buyers missing out, said Natalie Affolter, coordinator for the Masset Market.
Co-funded by the Public Health Association of BC, the Province of BC, and Food Banks BC, the new coupon program gives people the dignity of greater choice, Affolter said.
“It really is a dream grant,” she said, adding that the new coupons are easy to use.
All the $10 coupons in northern Haida Gwaii are marked with a carrot, while those south of Port Clements have a picture of Swiss chard.
“I think hot lunch is a hit, and definitely the jams and jellies,” she said.
Affolter said the carrot and chard coupons will help organizers see what markets people go to. The new grant also supports a casual staff position to manage the program.
So far in the north end, the coupons have been shared through local schools, the Masset Soup Kitchen, Niislaa Naay Health Centre, the G̱aw Tlagée Adult Day Program, Haida Child and Family Services, Masset Heritage Housing, the Masset Seniors Club, Bayview Market, and the Port Clements Seniors Association.
Further south, the coupons have been shared by the Islands Wellness Society and Alder House.
Besides making it easier for people to buy all sorts of food at Haida Gwaii farmers markets, Affolter said the coupons encourage new people to come out and mingle.
“The market is a great gathering place,” she said.
“Even with bad weather, there are still people sitting on the picnic tables in the rain outside sometimes because we are islanders and can do that.”