The province has announced a $350,000 investment to help low-income households in Nova Scotia buy healthy and locally produced food.
The money will go towards the Nourishing Communities Food Coupon Program, which also aims to improve Nova Scotians’ food literacy by providing more opportunities to learn about healthy eating.
“Supporting community organizations in their efforts to increase food security is not only a responsibility, but a priority for this government,” said Premier Iain Rankin in a news release. “The Farmers’ Market of Nova Scotia has been a leader in creating initiatives to improve food literacy in our communities. It is critical for everyone to have access to good nutrition and healthy eating choices.”
The program was created by the Farmers’ Market of Nova Scotia Cooperative. It provides participating households with food bucks, which can be redeemed at farmers’ markets.
Each market partners with non-profit organizations, providing them with food bucks on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. The organizations select households on a needs basis according to specific criteria.
Twenty-five famers’ markets are participating in the program this year.
