We are thrilled to announce that the Province of Manitoba is investing nearly $1.1 million in our Manitoba Community Food Currency Program over the next three years!
After three extremely successful years, Direct Farm Manitoba is excited to announce it has
received multi-year funding for the Manitoba Community Food Currency Program (CFCP). The
Manitoba government is providing almost $1.1 million over three years to Direct Farm Manitoba
which will allow the program to grow considerably and provide better access across Manitoba.
“We are thrilled to see the program expand, building on its previous success, with this support
from the province,” said Kristie Beynon, executive director, Direct Farm Manitoba. “With the
price of food skyrocketing, an increasing number of Manitoba households are struggling with
food insecurity. This program increases access to healthy, local food for those who need it most
while supporting our local farmers and farmers markets and building stronger communities. It
really is a win-win-win.”
The Manitoba Community Food Currency Program provides ‘community food currency’ to
participants to spend directly on Manitoba farm products at their local farmers’ market.
This highly successful project involves Direct Farm Manitoba working with member farmers’
markets and community social service organizations to increase access to healthy, local food.
“As exceptional inflationary measures continue driving up the cost of food, more Manitobans
face the burden of being unable to meet their own and their family’s nutritional needs,” said
Agricultural Minister Derek Johnson. “This unique food currency initiative helps ensure
Manitobans in need have reliable and equitable access to healthy food that promotes their
well-being, while simultaneously supporting farmers markets and local agri-product businesses.”
This year, the program was able to grow to serve over 240 households, working with 8
community partner organizations and 5 farmers’ markets in 5 rural and urban communities.
Coupon redemption rates continue to be strong, with over 98% of distributed vouchers in the
2021 program year spent on fresh, local, farm food directly from Manitoba producers.
“For three years now, I have been involved with the Food Currency program at the Carman
Farmers Market- both as a vendor and to administer the program,” said Edith Rook, Carman
Farmers’ Market. “The benefits I’ve observed, for the households having financial challenges, as
well as the vendors, are beyond numbering. Inclusion and improvements for all!”
Direct Farm Manitoba is a non-profit provincial organization supporting Manitoba’s farmers’
markets and small-scale farmers.
For more information, or to request an interview, contact:
Kristie Beynon
Executive Director
Direct Farm Manitoba
431-482-1822
[email protected]
directfarmmanitoba.ca