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Fresh to Families

In 2023 you helped us raise $77,760 and support 180 local families through Fresh to Families Program!

In order to keep up our support for these families and many more facing food insecurity, we need your support.

Donations of $20 or more are eligible to receive a charitable tax receipt through our partners at Vancity Foundation.

ABOUT FRESH TO FAMILIES PROGRAM

The Fresh to Families Program is Vancouver Farmers Markets’ own expansion project of the Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program, a province-wide healthy eating initiative led by the BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM) and the BC Ministry of Health. At VFM, we believe that fresh, locally-grown food should be available to everyone regardless of income. Our Fresh to Families Program is one of the ways we work to make that goal a reality.

Under the BCAFM Nutrition Coupon Program participants receive coupons from community partners and these can then be redeemed at the BC farmers markets. BCAFM collaborates with community organizations and BCAFM member farmers’ markets (like us) to support lower-income families, pregnant women and seniors.

While the program provides access to fresh, locally grown food that may otherwise be inaccessible, while also giving participants the dignity to choose the foods that work best for them, every dollar redeemed goes straight to BC farmers and producer vendors.

The VFM Fresh to Families Program provides funding and administrative support to the entirety of the Nutrition Coupon Program, which serves 18,000 families across BC living with low income, newly arrived refugees, seniors, and at-risk families with food skills and nutritional programming.

Click here to know more about the BCAFM Nutrition Coupon Program operating in the region served by Vancouver Farmers Markets and find a list of the Community Partners to get clarity on availability or eligibility of coupons. Please note that Vancouver Farmers Markets DOES NOT register or give out coupons directly to participants. Local community partners enrol and distribute the coupons.

IMPACT OF YOUR DONATION

Fresh to Families coupons always have Double the Impact! Each $3 coupon feeds families with fresh, local food while also benefiting local farmers, who receive the full value of each coupon.

Here’s our 2023 Impact Report:

Download a copy of our 2023 Impact Report and share it to help us get support.

BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR

HELP US BRING MORE DESERVING FAMILIES TO THE MARKETS AND SUPPORT LOCAL BC FARMERS

Make a real difference for the most vulnerable in our community by becoming a corporate partner of the Fresh to Families Program! Contact Monika Chowdhry to start the conversation.

*Sponsoring the Fresh to Families Program is tax deductible.

MAKE A BIG IMPACT

  • $30 Donation – Brings ONE family to the farmers markets just ONCE
  • $120 Donation – Brings ONE family to the farmers market for an entire MONTH
  • $600 Donation – Brings ONE family to the farmers market for an entire MARKET SEASON
  • $1,200 Donation – Brings TWO families to the market for an entire MARKET SEASON

What difference do you make by supporting Fresh to Families?

  • Participants shop for culturally appropriate food that suits their diets at our farmers markets – This is not just food, but dignity and opportunities for empowerment through choice
  • This Supports the livelihoods of BC farmers and producers through increased sales at farmers markets
  • The process itself Fosters community integration across neighborhoods and allows individuals to connect with people with similar backgrounds, and thus expand their horizons.

Our partners in the community:

The Fresh to Families Program directly fundraises to provide coupons to families through four Vancouver community organizations:

For a complete list of all Community Partners in the City of Vancouver for the Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program, a province-wide healthy eating initiative led by the BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM) and the BC Ministry of Health, please visit this page on our website and for further details, visit the BCAFM website.

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We are grateful to our Donors:

Monthly Donors:

  • Adam Ambrose, Percy Buckley
  • Bonnie McQueen
  • Dylan Stephanian
  • June Harrison
  • Randy Elliott

Major Donors:

  • Endswell Foundation
  • Horizons Wellness & Grocery
  • Iain Harris Family Foundation
  • John and Pauline Anatooshkin Legacy Fund
  • Laura Smit
  • Martha A. Burton
  • Sustainable Economy Fund
  • University of British Columbia Faculty of Land and Food Systems
  • Vancouver Foundation

Feast in the Flower Field – Long Table Dinner Fundraiser:

  • Alexandr Moroz
  • Anna Hart
  • Ben Sehmer
  • Drew Ratcliffe
  • Ian Graham
  • James Toews
  • Jessie Smith
  • Meghann O’Brien
  • Ms. Martha Burton
  • Sarah Ryall
  • Shora Parvaresh

Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival Fundraiser:

  • (The) Federal Store
  • (The) Modern Pantry Bakery + Cafe 
  • (The) Pie Hole 
  • 49th Parallel Coffee + Lucky’s Doughnuts
  • À La Mode Pie Café 
  • Aiyaohno Café 
  • Analog Coffee  
  • Aperitivo Truck 
  • Artigiano 
  • Bella Gelateria 
  • Bellaggio Café 
  • Beta 5 Chocolates
  • Bjornbar Bakery 
  • Blue Hat Bakery-Café (At Pica) 
  • Boketto Tea Bar -New! 
  • Broyé Cafe & Bakery  
  • Butter Baked Goods
  • C Market Coffee   
  • Cadeaux Bakery   
  • Cannoli King -New!
  • Chez Christophe Chocolaterie Patisserie
  • Doughgirls
  • Doughnut Love  
  • Drunken Chocolatier 
  • East Van Roasters  
  • Eternal Abundance 
  • Everbean Café + To Live For Bakery  
  • Fife Bakery
  • Fufú Café  
  • Gem Chocolates
  • Giovane Caffè 
  • Glenburn Soda Fountain  
  • Honolulu Coffee  
  • Kafka’s Coffee 
  • Kasama Chocolates 
  • Koko Monk Chocolates 
  • L’atelier Patisserie
  • Little Cafe On Robson 
  • Mah Milkbar
  • Melt Confectionary   
  • Mercato Di Luigi
  • Mink Chocolates 
  • Mon Paris Patisserie 
  • Motoretta Gelato  
  • Nelson The Seagull Cafe 
  • Paul Cafe & Restaurant 
  • Peaked Pies
  • Temper Chocolate & Pastry
  • Thierry Chocolates  
  • Thomas Haas Chocolates
  • To Live For Bakery + Everbean Café   
  • Trafiq Café & Bakery
  • Uno Gelato 

Donation in Honor/memory of:

  • Anonymous in honor of Barbara McDavid
  • Mairy Beam in Memory of Evelyn Beam
  • Mr. Tim Rempel and Mrs. Flo Rempel, Rockweld Farm in memory of Julie Rempel and Teresa (Rempel) Ewert
  • VCH Public Health Dietitian Team in honor of Barbara Crocker

We are grateful to each & every Donor who has donated generously for the Fresh to Families Program.

We are always grateful for the support of: