Manitoba Government invests almost $1.1 million in Food Currency Program

The Manitoba government is providing almost $1.1 million over three years to Direct Farm Manitoba to support its Manitoba Community Food Currency Program, which works to improve food security for Manitobans in need while also supporting local agri-businesses, announced Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson.

“As exceptional inflationary measures continue driving up the cost of food, more Manitobans face the burden of being unable to meet their own and their family’s nutritional needs,” said Johnson. “This unique food currency initiative helps ensure Manitobans in need have reliable and equitable access to healthy food that promotes their well-being, while simultaneously supporting farmers markets and local agri-product businesses.”

Direct Farm Manitoba launched the Manitoba Community Food Currency Program in 2020 as a community-building initiative that aimed to empower Manitobans facing food insecurity by providing food currency that can be used to purchase locally produced fruit, vegetables, meat and processed foods at farmers markets.

The Manitoba government’s investment will ensure 700 families in the province benefit from the program annually over the next three years, noted Johnson.