FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION COUPON PROGRAM

CALL FOR COMMUNITIES 2014

The BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program(FMNCP) is an initiative of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets in partnership with farmers’ markets and community skill-building organizations. Funding for the FMNCP is provided by the Province of BC’s Healthy Families BC.

The second year of the program delivered great resultsand had a 92 percent coupon redemption rate. Over2290 lower-income families and seniors and 642 farms benefited from increased access to healthy, local agricultural products. Farmers’markets saw new customers and increased sales at markets.

For the 2014 season, we are expanding the number of communities where the program operates.The program returns to the communities where the program operated in 2013, and we are adding 1-2 more communities in each health region.

How the program works

Within each community, we will connect with a farmers’ market and one or more community partners who have a target population of lower-income pregnant women, families and/or seniors. The community partner(s) provide nutrition and skill-building programs and distribute coupons redeemable at participating farmers' markets.

The BCAFM reimburses participatingfarmers’markets for coupons redeemed at their market.

Expectation of the Farmers’ Market and Community Partner(s)

Collaborate with each other to ensure the program runs successfully. Some examples of collaboration include:

  • Provide tours to participants
  • Farmersand market vendors visit thecommunity group
  • Market and community group work together on access/transportation challenges
  • Market provides space for community group to distribute coupons and do programming at the market.
  • The Market provide brochures and market shopping bags to participants

Participating community partners and farmers’ markets will receive an honorarium based on the number of families in the program.

Deadline for Applications – Saturday, April 5, 2014

To apply

  • In a community, a farmers’ market and community partner apply jointly. Each partner should complete their section of the application.
  • When saving the application, include the name of the community in the title.
  • Send the application to

FARMERS’ MARKET INFORMATION

About Your Farmers’ Market
Name of Farmers’ Market / Name of Organization
(If different than name of market)
Mailing Address
Name of Primary Contact for FMNCP / Telephone / Email / Market Manger
(If different than FMNCP contact)
About Your Market(s)
Physical location of Market(s)
Day(s) of Operation / Hour(s) / Opening Date(s) / Closing Date(s)
About your vendor mix
Average number of total vendors / Average number of produce vendors / Average number of meat, fish, poultry vendors / Average number of dairy vendors (milk, cheese) / Average number of egg vendors
Market Accessibility
How can shoppers access your market without a personal vehicle?

FARMERS’ MARKET INFORMATION

About your farmers’ market… / Check All That Are Applicable
Current member of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets
Comply with the BCAFM standards regarding the operation of a farmers’ market in BC.
Exist as, or be sponsored by, an organization such as a non-profit agency.
Have a market manager – paid or unpaid.
Have vendors who can provide sufficient BC-grown fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs to program participants.
Have vendors who can provide sufficient BC-produced eggs, meat, fish and dairy products to program participants.
Your farmers’ market is expected to / Check All That Can Be Met
Ensure all eligible market vendors participate in the FMNCP.
Orient all eligible market vendors participating in the FMNCP.
Clearly display FMNCP signage at each eligible vendor's stall at each market.
Collaborate with your community partners to make the program successful.
Participate in a one-day program orientation in your region.
Travel expenses will be reimbursed by BCAFM.
Participate in 3 conference calls during the course of the program.
Provide weekly online reports with program feedback and coupon redemption by market and by vendor.
Reimburse vendors for redeemed coupons.
Submit redeemed coupons to BCAFM monthly.
Participate in an evaluation of the FMNCP.


FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION COUPON PROGRAM

COMMUNITY PARTNER INFORMATION

About Your Community Organization
Name of Organization
Mailing Address
Name of Contact for the FMNCP / Telephone Number(s) / Email Address
About Your Program
In this section, we are asking about your program(s), which are focused on food and nutrition skills. Complete each section for each unique program you operate
Name of Program(s) / Program Manager (if different than FMNCP contact) / Who participates in your program(s)
Tell us about the hands on food skills aspect of your program.
Are there any program closures?
Please list any times you will not be operating/closed between mid-June and mid-October 2014 / How will you manage the FMNCP during the closure?
Detail plans for coupon distribution and programming for the FMNCP during any closures.


FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION COUPON PROGRAM

Will you Work with Other Community Partners
Please include any community partners you may work with to distribute coupons or offer nutrition and skill building programs.
Name of Community Organization(s) / What role they will play in the FMNCP?
Does your organization / Check All That Apply
Have an organizational structure, including a name and a sponsoring organization, such as a non-profit community agency.
Serve low-income pregnant women.
Serve low-income families with children.
Serve low-income seniors.
Have a designated program coordinator – paid or unpaid.
Can your organization / Check All That Are Possible
Provide an established nutrition and skill-building program, and be able to support program participants to engage in at least 6 sessions that you offer, or another community group can offer.
Examples of food skills sessions are:
  • Cooking classes, such as Canadian Diabetes’ Food Skills for Families program
  • Community kitchens
  • Canning/preserving workshops
  • Growing food classes
  • Tour of the farmers’ market
  • Cooking and shopping seasonally
  • Budgeting and meal planning

Ensure any food programs are in compliance with food safety and health authority requirements.
Select program participants who qualify to participate.
Provide orientation and ongoing support to participants.
Establish a regular (weekly) distribution of coupons to participants.
Collaborate with your partner farmers’ market to make the program successful.
Participate in a one-day program orientation in your region. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by BCAFM.
Participate in 3 conference calls during the course of the program.
Provide weekly online reports of coupon distribution and program feedback.
Participate in an evaluation of the FMNCP.

FARMERS MARKET AND COMMUNITY PARTNER(S) COLLABORATION PLAN

When the farmers’ market and community partners jointly collaborate and connect during the FMCNP, the program is more successful.

In this section, detail how the market and community partner(s) will collaborate to make the program successful.

We will collaborate in the following manner