Market Farming

[deberryemail-website AT yahoo.com]

There are two WIC programs, and I fear some folks are getting a bit confused.

 

The USDA WIC program, (Women, Infants and Children) provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.  Most states, as part of their grant, provide "food stamps" in the form of a debit card.  Grocery stores can take the cards, and some farmers markets have invested in the equipment needed to accept them as well.  There are limits on the types of foods allowed to be purchased.  http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/WIC-Fact-Sheet.pdf has a fact sheet about WIC.

 

The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, FMNP, was established by Congress in 1992, to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of and sales at farmers’ markets.  In most states, "coupons" are given to income eligible people in the summer.  These work like checks in set amounts (some states have them as low as $2 denominations, others are as much as $5 each), and the person using them signs them in front of you at the market.  You, as a farmer, must have previously signed up to receive a stamp with a unique number on it (and often you have to have multiple stamps if you attend markets in different counties).  You stamp your number on the checks, then take them to the bank and deposit them.  Only fresh veggies, fruits, herbs, etc. can be purchased, and only from state department of agriculture "sanctioned" markets can participate.    http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/WIC-FMNP-Fact-Sheet.pdf has a FMNP fact sheet.

 

There's also a Senior FMNP in some areas as well.  http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SFMNP-Fact-Sheet.pdf has the fact sheet.

 

I hope this helps!

 

Cheryl

praying for warmer weather so we can move some plants outside soon - the greenhouse is full!