A national organization representing farmers’ markets will be an important voice for local food, says Direct Farm Manitoba.
“The opportunity for resource sharing is incredible, and is one of the reasons it was formed as organizations reached out to one another during all of the upheaval of the pandemic,” Kristie Beynon, Direct Farm Manitoba’s executive director, told the Co-operator.
Direct Farm Manitoba, which represents farmers’ markets and direct marketing farms in Manitoba, is one of the founding members of Canadian Farmers’ Markets, a national advocacy group, Beynon said.
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The organization officially formed in November, 2020.
“We are building a unified sector which supports thriving local food systems and economic, social, and cultural prosperity of communities across Canada,” Canadian Farmers’ Markets said in a June 14 news release.
Since its founding, the group has brought a petition to the federal government asking for matching dollars for provincial nutrition-coupon programs run by farmers’ market associations, such as the Manitoba Community Food Currency Program, which is in its second year.
“These programs make local food more accessible while supporting local producers,” said Beynon.
Gord Johns, the MP for Courtenay-Alberni, brought the petition before the House of Commons in April, the news release said.
“Canadian Farmers’ Markets is deeply committed to supporting and leveraging the collective power of farmers’ markets across Canada to help build local, equitable and sustainable food systems,” the news release said.
