Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's first nutrition coupon program launches at Regina Farmers' Market

YWCA Regina and the Regina Farmers’ Market are rolling out a nutrition coupon program for people facing food insecurity.

Food security program is a collaboration between farmers' market and YWCA

A pile of beets and carrots at Regina's Farmers' Market.
The nutrition coupon program gives low-income families the chance to have high quality, locally grown produce. (Richard Agecoutay/CBC)

YWCA Regina and the Regina Farmers' Market are rolling out a nutrition coupon program for people facing food insecurity.

With approval from the YWCA, people can get $20 vouchers and families can get $60 vouchers each week for fresh produce and preserved food all summer. That's up to $840 worth of food over 14 weeks for people who wouldn't otherwise have access.

Tanya Bunny stands in the park and holds up her coupon.
Tanya Bunnie is one of the first people to be helped by the new Nutrition Coupon Program. (Alex Kozroski/CBC)

Tanya Bunnie is a mother who visited the market in Victoria Park this week to use her vouchers.

"Berries are out, so I'm hoping to get some berries and maybe some fresh carrots or potatoes, "Bunnie said. "I have six little ones and they'll love this."

Mackenzie Thiessen, a team lead in the YWCA's outreach area, said she was glad to see a client access fresh produce.

"[Bunnie] ran through our shelter programs, she's reunited with her kids and as far as I know she's doing great," Thiessen said.

Mackenzie Thiessen speaks to CBC in front of a row of farmers' market vendors.
Team Lead Mackenzie Thiessen explains how the Regina YWCA collaborated with the Regina Farmers' Market to bring the program to life. (Richard Agecoutay/CBC)

Thiessen said each coupon functions like cash and is valid for the week for fresh and preserved food items at the farmers' market. Unclaimed vouchers get recycled into funds to buy food for the community kitchen.

"Our expectation is that our families and our community come and get some fresh produce and if not, it comes back to our outreach area so that we can give it all to our houseless clientele."

The 14-week program is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, but took inspiration from similar programs in British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Unlike those other programs, it's funded entirely by community donations and corporate sponsorship.

Holly Laird stands at the information booth at Regina's Farmers' Market holding the new vouchers.
Holly Laird, executive director of the Regina Farmers' Market, verifies coupons in Victoria Park. (Alex Kozroski/CBC)

Regina Farmers' Market executive director Holly Laird said that the program is a positive initiative for the market's 50th year of operation.

"When the vendors get the coupons, they can redeem them right away at our information booth for cash, so they're not out any money for any length of time," Laird said.

"It's a really nice way that we can support the people in our community who are struggling and maybe need a hand to access the market, but also support our local farmers, producers and food makers."

Laird said everything at the farmers' market is made, baked, grown or designed in Saskatchewan. She also said that they are accepting financial and food donations from individuals, organizations and businesses.

WATCH | New initiative gives low-income families access to fresh food: 

New initiative gives low-income families access to fresh food

3 hours ago
Duration 1:57
The Regina Farmers' Market is rolling out a first-of-its-kind program for Saskatchewan that gives low-income families better access to fresh food.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Kozroski is an intern at CBC News in Regina. He has also worked as a reporter for Golden West Broadcasting in Swift Current, Sask.