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A re-launched program at the Regina Farmers’ Market gives coupons to low-income families and individuals, making fresh, local food more accessible.
The Nutrition Coupon Program is back after being first introduced in 2025.
In it, participants will receive weekly coupons to buy food from the market’s vendors. The coupons will go to priority populations, including low-income families, pregnant people, and seniors.
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It was inspired by similar programs run successfully in British Columbia and Nova Scotia.
The program officially re-launched on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Participants can redeem their coupons at any market for local foods, including fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, and honey.
“The program was designed to address food insecurity by increasing access to healthy food, while supporting local producers and keeping dollars in our community,” Regina Farmers’ Market wrote in a statement.
Nutrien helped fund the program, and the company, along with the YWCA and the Regina Farmers’ Market, will execute it.
Those looking to support can donate online or in person at the market’s information booth.
The market’s outdoor season continues until Oct. 10. It’s held at Pat Fiacco Plaza from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Once the outdoor season ends, the market will return to the REAL District Banner Hall.
Food insecurity in Saskatchewan
He said food banks are meant to be an added support for a community, not a requirement.
“I used to say to people, my job is to work my way out of a job, but that’s not the case anymore. Food banks were designed to be an emergency thing, but we’ve become part of the monthly budget. We’re not going away,” he said.
According to Kincade, food banks everywhere are seeing more families use them. Plus, as the cost-of-living rises, donations are shrinking.
In February, Saskatchewan ranked the highest of any province for child poverty, and its poverty gaps were the largest, based on a report published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
The same report also found that Saskatoon and Regina had “some of the highest rent increases in the country over last year,” even though prices are still lower than in other provinces.
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