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Nutrition program benefits participants in Powell River

Mayor to write a letter in support of farmers’ market coupons
Paul Galinski
Paul Galinski
2535_farmers_market_65A6244_(1)_CROPPED
SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM: With social distancing measures in place, people including Sheri Moloughney [left] and Lisa Marie Bhattacharya were still able to come together at Powell River Farmers’ Market in 2020. Shoppers with lower incomes and local farmers benefitted from a program that distributes nutrition coupons that can be redeemed at the market.Peak archive photo

City of Powell River will send a letter of support to the provincial government at the request of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets regarding the nutrition coupon program.

At the March 16 committee of the whole meeting, councillors reviewed a letter from the association indicating that in 2020, a total of $20,433 was invested directly in Powell River through the program.

The association has several partners in the community, including Lift Community Services, Powell River Family Place, Powell River Action Centre Society Foodbank and Tla’amin Health – Tla’amin Prenatal. The letter stated these organizations provided lower-income pregnant women, families and seniors with coupons to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs, nuts, fish, meat and herbs directly from farmers at the Powell River Farmers’ Market.

“As a result, program participants from Powell River ate more local foods, learned about healthy eating and felt connected to their community,” the letter stated. “At the same time, the local food system was strengthened with farmers in your community benefitting from additional revenue to sustain their farms.”

The association asked the city to write minister of health Adrian Dix to help ensure the program’s continuance.

Mayor Dave Formosa said his suggestion is that the city grace them with the letter to Dix in support of the ongoing funding program for farmers’ market nutrition coupons.

Councillor Rob Southcott said at a meeting he had attended, at the family place, it was brought up how much appreciation there is for this initiative.

“It’s a great program,” said Southcott.

Councillor George Doubt said this is one of those programs that seems to be good for everybody.

“It benefits people who need food locally and it benefits local food producers,” said Doubt. “You can’t ask for anything better than that. There was an investment of $20,433 last year and that’s good for local consumers and the local farmers who create the food.”

Formosa will send a letter to the minister as requested.