The BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) have asked Kimberley city council to help them secure funding for their 2026 BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program.
The program received provincial funding in 2025 from the Ministry of Health but has yet to obtain reliable funding for this year’s market season.
In Kimberley, the program helps lower-income pregnant people, families with children, and seniors buy fresh, local food from the farmers’ market.
The 2025 BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program made a positive impact for residents needing assistance in Kimberley, by addressing nutrition needs, affordability and food security.
BCAFM partnered with Healthy Kimberley Food Recovery Depot and Community Connections Society of Southeast BC to provide participants with $27 per week for 16 weeks to help them purchase fresh, local foods.
In 2025 the program saw more than 45 lower income households use $19,440 in coupons at the Kimberley Farmers’ Market.
The program supports both community members and local farmers, strengthening the local food system.
Since funding has not yet been secured for 2026, organizers have requested Mayor McCormick and city council send a letter to Josie Osborne, BC minister of health, showing support for the farmers’ market coupon program in Kimberley.
Council has voted in favour of the motion, meaning BCAFM is one step closer to securing funding and ensuring the program can run this year.
