Listen to the broadcast version of this story that aired on Kootenay Morning on May 8, 2026:
By Local Journalism Reporter, Jaime Frederick
At a time when food prices are rising rapidly, it’s welcome news to many that the BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon program will be operating again this year, benefiting both low-income families and market farmers throughout the area.
The province-wide program, which has been running since 2011, provides coupons to families or individuals on the basis of established need. Recipients can use the coupons to purchase up to $27 per week of fresh, locally grown produce at participating farmers’ markets, including the Nelson Farmers’ Market. The farmers involved accept the coupons as cash and then submit them to the program for reimbursement.
City markets coordinator Alison Schlosser outlined the need for the program in a Nelson City Council meeting on April 14. “[The] impact of that program on food access is significant,” said Schlosser. “The numbers show that, as we saw here last year. It was $62,000 within the community.”
Funding for the entire program, which totaled $4.25 million across BC in 2025, is delivered by the BC Ministry of Health, through the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM). The coupons are distributed directly to recipients by community organizations in a position to assess applicants’ financial need. In Nelson, that includes the Kootenay Kids Society, the Nelson and District Women’s Centre, and others.
The BCAFM’s 2025 Annual Report notes that the organization has witnessed growing demand for the program and a massive waiting list across the province. The report reveals that, in 2025, the program’s community partners “reported over 3,600 additional households that wanted to participate but could not be served.”
Kootenay Co-op Radio reached out to the Ministry of Health for comment, but at this time the ministry could not confirm whether or not program funding would be expanded to serve more people this year. A funding announcement should be forthcoming and, in the meantime, the program is launching for another season. More information and coupon program applications are available locally through community organizations, including the Kootenay Kids Society, the Nelson and District Women’s Centre, the Nelson & District Seniors Coordinating Society and the Nelson Community Food Centre.
