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The food currency program is entering its fourth year.
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Community food currency program returns

The program is an initiative from Direct Farm Manitoba

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Farmers’ markets across the province are again participating in a program meant to put fresh produce on the table for Manitobans who would ordinarily struggle to source it.  On June 27, Direct Farm Manitoba announced the 2023 launch of its Manitoba Community Food Currency Program.  The program partners with “community organizations who are already connected
“This program increases access to healthy, local food for those who need it most while supporting our local farmers and farmers markets...” – Kristie Beynon.
News

New life for Community Food Currency Program

Provincial funding breathes new life into farmers market voucher program

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The province has thrown a lifeline to a struggling food currency program. In a recent announcement, the government said it would provide $1.1 million over the next three years for Direct Farm Manitoba’s Community Food Currency Program. “We are thrilled to see the program expand, building on its previous success, with this support from the
Interest in local food grew after the onset of the pandemic in 2020, says the executive director of Direct Farm Manitoba.
News

Direct farm marketing makes gains in Manitoba

The pandemic shifted farmer and consumer habits, but may make data less representative of the norm, says Direct Farm Manitoba

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The number of Manitoba farms that direct-market products grew by 12 per cent between 2016 and 2020, a new report indicates. The report, released this summer, used sources including the 2021 federal census of agriculture. It shows that in 2020, just over 1,000 farms were directly selling food to customers, up from 900 in 2016.
A sign on a farmers’ market booth shows the vendor accepts Manitoba Community Food Currency.
News

Farmers’ market food voucher program loses funding

Community groups say food currency has health and social benefits for food-insecure families

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Community groups are concerned that a program that put fresh local food on the tables of food-insecure households may not be able to run this year due to lack of financial support. “It was an amazing program,” said Kayla Chafe, outreach co-ordinator at South Winnipeg Family Information Centre, which participated in 2021. The Manitoba Community
Phil Veldhuis is president of Direct Farm Manitoba and a beekeeper.
News

Manitoba growers pleased to see Peak of the Market deregulate

Held back by its own rules, Peak wants to be free to expand, say CEO, chair

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If a recently announced bill passes, Peak of the Market’s quasi-monopoly over Manitoba potatoes and root veggies will come to an end — and it seems no one will be sad to see it go. “As Peak of the Market growers we are unanimous in this decision,” said Peter Loewen, a vegetable grower and chair
Indigenous communities that want to engage in protein industries like raising bison find familiar barriers in their way.
News

One-size-fits-all approach won’t work for Indigenous protein innovation: experts

Remote communities and lack of access to sales, processing infrastructure a barrier to Indigenous food entrepreneurs

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A lack of appreciation for Indigenous communities’ knowledge, goals and approaches to food production is hampering business development, experts told the Manitoba Protein Summit. “We don’t want pilot projects. We want equitable access to capital. We want equitable access to programs, and we want programs that aren’t broken,” said Bruce Hardy, president of the Myera
Jeff Veenstra grows vegetables on Wild Earth Farms near Birds Hill Park, northeast of Winnipeg.
Farmit Manitoba

Acreage requirement drop for veggie insurance first step for small-scale farmers

Move shows MASC is listening to call for scale-appropriate BRMs, says Direct Farm Manitoba

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A drop in acreage required to insure vegetable crops has opened a door for smaller-scale and direct-marketing farmers. “This has really changed our ability to be insured quite significantly,” said Jeff Veenstra who farms northeast of Winnipeg. On January 25, the province announced it would reduce the minimum required acres for vegetable acreage loss insurance
Farmers’ markets form Canada-wide association
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Farmers’ markets form Canada-wide association

Canadian Farmers’ Markets has already begun advocating for federal dollars towards existing community nutrition coupon programs

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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
blake hall alberta
Farmit Manitoba

Demand seen soaring for legal, farm-killed meat

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LOCAL | Producers, particularly small-scale farmers, would benefit from similar regulations in Manitoba, says Direct Farm Manitoba Demand for on-farm slaughter licences in Alberta has exploded since last summer when a rule change allowed consumers to buy individual animals and have them processed on the farm. Manitoba should have its own, similar regulations, says Direct
Collaborative marketing can make customers part of something bigger
Farmit Manitoba

Collaborative marketing can make customers part of something bigger

Teaming up with other growers can widen a customer base, create more convenience, and give new farmers a leg up

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Collaborating with other farmers to direct market food can show customers that they are part of a larger community, says one direct-market farmer. And, unlike organics or environment-friendly farming practices, community doesn’t scale up to Walmart size. “(The local food movement) succeeded in creating an awareness that food is a purchase that has a serious

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