Sooke Family Resource Society has partnered with the Sooke Country Market to make healthy options accessible to more Sooke families.
The Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon program, an initiative of the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets, will provide 10 families with the resources to purchase local products such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, dairy and meat.
“This program is a great fit for our community and we are so happy to make it possible for more families to enhance their diets with local food” said Teresa Norquay, Sooke Family Resource Society’s FRP coordinator.
“Not only do program participants receive farm-fresh food, they also engage with local growers, pick up new recipes, and learn how to include the market in their meal planning strategy,” added Teresa Willman, Sooke Country Market’s manager.
Participants also have the opportunity to take part in a series of workshops to build food literacy organized by Sooke Family Resource Society.
The 10 participant spaces have been allocated for the season with many more people interested in the program.
“Our objective is to encourage participants to try new foods and explore the diverse amount of produce available in their own community,” said Peter Leblanc, Farmer’s Market Nutrition Coupon program manager.
Funding for the program is provided by Healthy Families B.C.
The market, which takes place on Otter Point Road across from Eustace Road in downtown Sooke, is a rain or shine event that operates on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. right through Thanksgiving weekend.