Anything but tobacco

Nunavimmiut who receive food coupons every month to buy healthy foods under Nunavik's food coupon program will now be able to buy anything they want except cigarettes or tobacco products.

This change became official at the recent Kativik Regional Government council meeting in Kuujjuaraapik.

Previously, the coupons could be only be exchanged at local stores for flour, breads, cereals, berries, fruits, vegetables, milks and milk products and meat or meat alternatives.

The food coupon plan gives $100 a month to elders, 60 and over, who are not working. Nunavimmiut who are on social assistance and their children under 18 receive $50 a person, as do diabetics and individuals experiencing financial problems.

The plan costs about $10,650 a month, for an annual total of $127,800, which is split between Makivik Corp. and the KRG.