2026 Farmers’ Market Coupons

2026 Farmers’ Market Coupons
Do you live in the West End or Coal Harbour and worry about running out of food before you have enough money to buy more? You may be eligible to receive funds to buy fresh produce at local Farmers’ Markets.

Eligibility Criteria
This program is offered across the province by many organizations. Gordon Neighbourhood House coordinates the program for residents who live on the Vancouver’s Downtown Peninsula West of Burrard Street (West End, Coal Harbour, Downtown).

The eligibility for this provincial program is determined by the BC Ministry of Health. You are eligible for this program if you are lower-income AND meet one of the following criteria: pregnant person; have children under the age of 19; or are over the age of 55.

How is Lower Income Determined?
We recognize that food insecurity can affect anyone. To reduce barriers and protect participants’ dignity, we do not require proof of income. Instead, participants simply self-identify as low-income. All information provided will be kept confidential and used only to determine eligibility for this program.

If you answered yes to the following questions, you are eligible for this program:

• Do you ever worry about running out of food before you have money to buy more?
• In the past month, have you skipped meals or eaten less because you couldn’t afford enough food?
• I had to eat some foods that were not good for my health and well-being because I couldn’t get other types of food.
• I worried that the food I was able to eat would hurt my health and well-being.
• I had to eat the same thing for several days in a row because I didn’t have money to buy other food.

What do program participants receive?
Funds will be provided on a card that works like a debit card. $27 will be added to the card each week for 8 weeks. You can choose to spend the $27 each week or save it for a larger purchase. The card can be used at participating Farmers’ Markets on the Downtown Peninsula until December 23.

Some organizations provide funding for up to 16 weeks. To support more people in our community, we have divided the available funds so we can reach more participants with this program.

What are the requirements of program participants?
Selected participants will fill out a short application, receive a card, and take part in a quick five-minute orientation on how to use it and what they can buy with it. After the funds have been spent, participants will complete a short, one-page survey about their experience.

How do I apply for this program?
We have a set number of spots available from the BC Farmers Market Association. We are making 90 spots through a random lottery system. The deadline to apply is Sunday, July 5^th at 12:00pm midnight.

Please provide your name and contact information, and confirm that you are low-income and meet at least one of the following criteria: you are pregnant, have children under 19, or are 55 or older.

You can share this information quickly and confidentially through our online lottery form, or by contacting Gordon Neighbourhood House at (604) 683-2554 or welcome@gordonhouse.org. Everyone who has expressed interest in this program this year will be entered into the lottery.

How are participants selected?
We expect more people will apply than there are spaces available in this program. A lottery system is a fair and accessible way to select participants and avoids the need for people to share detailed personal information.

Participants will be randomly selected on Monday, July 6, and all applicants will be notified by Monday, July 13th.

For more information, please email welcome@gordonhouse.org.