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Direct Farm Manitoba is actively involved in advocating for the interests of its member markets and farmers.  In addition to this, our members have access to a number of other important benefits, including a farm or market profile on DFM’s website, promotion of the direct marketing sector throughout the season, and special events and programs.

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Manitoba Community Food Currency Program

Manitoba Community Food Currency Program
What are we doing?

Piloted in the 2020 market season, the Manitoba Community Food Currency Program is a community building initiative that empowers members of our community who frequently experience barriers to accessing healthy whole food by providing them with access to community food currency to purchase food directly from participating farmers’ markets across Manitoba. Direct Farm Manitoba, market coordinators, and community partner organizations work together to make healthy, local food more accessible to participants. The Manitoba Community Food Currency Program is modelled after the highly successful British Columbia Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) Coupon Nutrition Program, which has been running for over a decade.

How does it work?

Participating farmers’ markets partner with community organizations who are already connected with people who would benefit from better access to fresh, local food. These community partner organizations select individuals and families who would benefit from increased food security. Direct Farm Manitoba provides community food currency to their community partners who pass them on to participants, who can use it to purchase food from farmers at their local farmers’ market.

Why are we doing it?

Direct Farm Manitoba exists to represent and advocate for the direct market farmers and farmers’ markets in Manitoba. The Manitoba Community Food Currency Program is a win for producers, a win for farmers’ markets and a win for communities!

This program aims to provide these positive outcomes:

  • Greater access to fresh, local food households struggling with food insecurity
  • Strengthened communities through relationship building, increased health outcomes, and improved overall mental health
  • Support local resilient agriculture through the direct support of Manitoba farmers
What does success look like?

The program was piloted in the 2020 farmers’ market season, partnering with both urban and rural community partners. It expanded in both 2021 and 2022, serving 230 households in the 2022 season. Farmers have reported increased sales and markets have seen more foot traffic,  while participants have had greater access to fresh, local foods.

Program Future

We are thrilled to report that the program has received almost $1.1 million to expand the program for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons. Funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Manitoba under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, this investment will allow the program to expand to better meet community demand, serving 700 families annually in rural and urban Manitoba communities.

Get involved!

Are you a Manitoba farmer’s market and want to know what is involved in being part of the program?

You can learn more here.

Click here: MCFCP RESOURCES for participating farmers’ markets and community partners

For general program inquiries, or to discuss our Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Kristie Beynon, Executive Director

Are you a community organization or farmers’ market that would like to get involved? Applications for the 2023 program are now closed. It would be great to hear from you if you are interested in being involved in the future! Please contact [email protected]

Many thanks for the generous support of our program funders and donors.

 

The Winnipeg Foundation logo

 

2023 Participating Farmers’ Markets and Community Partners

Altona Farmers’ Market The Community Exchange
Brandon FM Samaritan House
Carman Farmers’ Market Carman Wellness Connections
Downtown Farmers’ Market Spence Neighbourhood Association
Thrive Community Support Circle
Women’s Health Clinic
Lac du Bonnet Farmers’ Market Blue Water Mobile Prenatal Team (Wings Of Power)
Mrs. Luccis
Morden Farmers’ Market Many Hands Resource Centre
South Osborne Farmers’ Market 1JustCity
Lord Roberts Community Centre
Makoon
Rene Deleurme
Women’s Health Clinic
Lord Roberts Community Centre
St. Norbert Farmers’ Market Behavioural Health Foundation (BHF)
Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre (FGWRC)
Parc la Salle School
South Winnipeg Family Information Centre (SWFIC)
Steinbach Farmers’ Market Community Outreach
ROC Eastman
Teulon Farmers’ Market Teulon & District Seniors Resource Council
West Broadway Farmers’ Market Fort Whyte
Good Food Club
WInkler Farmers’ Market Winkler and District Food Cupboard
Wolseley Farmers’ Market 1JustCity
Klinic Community Health
Villa Rosa
Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY)