WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

The purposes of the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) are: (1) To provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers, farmers' markets, and roadside stands to women, infants, and children who pa

The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, popularly known as WIC. The WIC Program provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education at no cost to income eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. The purposes of the WIC FMNP are: (1) To provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers, farmers' markets, and roadside stands to women, infants, and children who participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); and (2) To expand the awareness, use, and sales at farmers' markets and roadside stands. Eligible WIC participants are issued FMNP coupons in addition to their regular WIC benefits. These coupons can be used to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers markets or roadside stands that have been approved by the state agency to accept FMNP coupons.

Each WIC State agency desiring to administer the FMNP shall annually submit a State Plan of Operations and enter into a written agreement with FNS for the administration of the Program in the jurisdiction of the State agency. New State agencies are selected based on the availability of funds, after base grants for currently participating State agencies. Participating State agencies select local FMNP agencies based on the concentration of eligible WIC participants and access to farmers' markets.

Women, infants (over 4 months old), and children (ages 1 year up to age 5) who have been certified to receive WIC Program benefits or are on a waiting list for WIC certification are eligible to participate in the FMNP. State agencies may serve some or all of these categories.

The FMNP is administered through a federal/State agency partnership in which the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awards cash grants to State agencies, including U.S. Territories and ITOs, to provide income eligible women, infants, and children with benefits (e.g., checks, coupons, or electronic benefits) that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers' markets and roadside stands. As a prerequisite to receiving federal funds for the FMNP, each applying or participating State agency must submit a State Plan of Operations describing how the State agency intends to administer all aspects of the FMNP within its jurisdiction. The majority of grant funds must be used for food benefits. State agencies may use up to 17 percent of their grants for program administrative costs.

The FMNP is administered through a federal/State agency partnership in which the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awards cash grants to State agencies, including U.S. Territories and ITOs, to provide income eligible women, infants, and children with benefits (e.g., checks, coupons, or electronic benefits) that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers' markets and roadside stands. As a prerequisite to receiving federal funds for the FMNP, each applying or participating State agency must submit a State Plan of Operations describing how the State agency intends to administer all aspects of the FMNP within its jurisdiction. The majority of grant funds must be used for food benefits. State agencies may use up to 17 percent of their grants for program administrative costs.

FMNP funds are allocated to State agencies annually and available through September 30 of the fiscal year. State agencies may withdraw funds only as needed.

Application is made through submission of a State Plan of Operations as required by law.

Funding is provided via a federal/state agreement and must be budgeted in the State Plan of Operations.

Funds are awarded by the Department on the basis of funding formulas to State agencies. If the available funds are insufficient to meet the prior year grant levels for previously participating State agencies, then a pro-rata reduction is applied to grant levels above $75,000. If additional funds become available for the FMNP, such funds would first be distributed pro rata among the current grantees to meet their prior year grant levels for that fiscal year. Grant payments are made by a letter of credit.

Funding provided vis a federal/state agreement

FNS will provide written approval or denial of a completed State Plan of Operations or amendment within 30 days. As required by law (Section 17(m)(6)(A) of the CNA, as amended), the Secretary must inform each FMNP State agency of the award of funds by February 15 of each year.

This Program is authorized beginning October 1 of any calendar year and ending September 30 of the following calendar year.

All decisions by FNS are final.