Federal government backs program to help low income Canadians access fresh produce

Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) is receiving $1.5 million in funding from the Government of Canada to support the expansion of its Market Greens initiative to approximately 30 locations across Canada.

Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu announced the cash injection on Tuesday. CFCC created the Market Greens initiative to provide Canadians with low incomes access to fruits and vegetables from local affordable markets.

In a press release, Hajdu said that the situation is grimmer now for low-income families because of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the Canadian economy. The initiative also promotes healthy eating for Canadians in low-income neighbourhoods.

“We are very pleased to support the growth of initiatives like Market Greens that have shown success in helping to remove financial barriers, ensuring more Canadians have access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” she said.

The CFCC hopes to increase access to low-cost fresh produce markets. They also want to provide fruit and vegetable vouchers that can be used at participating local markets. The initiative will support local organizations to create year-round community markets.

Participating produce markets are also encouraged to offer food demonstrations and tips using Canada’s Food Guide to teach participants how they can eat healthy on a budget. The CFCC is also establishing a cost-saving voucher program.

The program targets groups at higher risk of experiencing food insecurity, which includes newcomers to Canada, Indigenous peoples, and households with young children. The initiative will also promote community resources like cooking programs and garden workshops.

“We believe increasing access to fresh, healthy food through non-profit markets and offering subsidized access to healthy food for people living on low incomes at risk for chronic disease makes good sense,” said CFCC Chief Programs Officer Kathryn Scharf.

The CFCC will also spearhead a program where physicians at specific community health centres can provide information to low-income families who are also managing chronic diseases including Type 2 diabetes.