Nourishing Communities
Food Coupon Program
Did you know?
A snapshot of 2023, our 5th year of the program
33
Farmers’ Markets
1230
Participating Individuals
$300,000
Worth of Coupons Distributed
How does the program work?
1
Farmers’ markets partner with social organizations in their community. These organizations help identify households experiencing food insecurity to participate in the program.
2
Participants are given an anonymous alternative currency—or “food bucks”—that can be redeemed at any vendor stall at their local farmers’ market. This currency is already in circulation at the market, so participants cannot be publicly identified.
3
Vendors exchange the “food bucks” with their market manager to receive payment for the products they sold, thereby increasing revenue for small, local businesses.
✓ Addressing food insecurity
✓ Building community
✓ Supporting small, local businesses
The Impact
The Flourish Community Development Co-operative undertook an extensive evaluation process to capture the impact of our 2023 Nourishing Communities Food Coupon Program. To read the full report, please click here!
92%
of participants felt they had more money to meet their other needs.
91%
of participants reported eating healthier foods than usual during their participation in the program.
93%
of participants report feeling more connected to their community because of their participation in this program.
95.7%
of all coupons distributed were redeemed.
97%
of market going and online ordering participants believe they received good value overall.
99%
of respondents agreed that ‘this program had a positive impact on my life’.
I would say it completely changed my life. I am eating so much better and enjoying meal preparation and enjoying my meals, fresh local foods, organic grass fed meats, and it has impacted my health as I’m eating more nutritious food. Plus, it’s good to get out of isolation and meet new people. I feel like I belong here, after 6.5 years of feeling alone (no family here).
[The program was an] amazing experience for my children and I. My children learned math, budgeting, and felt very proud to have their own money. They also felt super happy to be able to buy presents from members whether they were meals or items or food.
As a single parent, [this program] gives my child a great example of supporting local and gives him something to look forward to. I normally cannot keep up with my budget. I believe in buy-local and support our farmers — budget interferes at times!
This program had a dramatic impact on our family. It provided us with an affordable family outing each week where the children were able to try new healthy foods… This inspired us to pick a new item to try each week and teach them how to use it in a different way teaching them important cooking skills.
My oldest son, 3 years old, loved to go and play with his new friends and listen to live music. Overall a great atmosphere. I also have built some wonderful connections with some of our frequently visited vendors and the market staff.
Disability supports are only 54% of the poverty limit. Food prices are drastically increasing, and there is a housing crisis. Knowing I have a [dollar] amount for fresh local vegetables and a few other essentials means I can better budget for heat and medication… I can’t emphasize enough how much the decreased fear and stress over basic food impacts my mental wellbeing.
The New Glasgow Farmers Market has participated in the Nourishing Communities program from the beginning. Not only have we been able to help more than 75 families in our community, but this program has also supported many of our local producers, making a tremendous impact on our local economy. This program embodies what community is all about, inclusivity, support and bringing people together.
Participating in the Nourishing Communities program has been of great economic and social benefit to our community! The program brought new customers to the Marketplace that provided economic support for our local farmers, prepared food makers and artisans. Even more importantly, the program assisted participating families in affordability of rising food costs and promoted the opportunity for them to shop fresh and local every week, right here in our community.
It is always such a pleasure to see participants returning regularly to do their shopping, often with their families. The kids seem to really enjoy the live music, playing on the grass or munching on a snack like a cookie or a cucumber. There is something wonderful about seeing the same friendly faces each week at the market, and I hope everyone who comes by on Saturdays feels the same way about our market community.
Program Supporters
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