WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
Introduction
Since 2002, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has been operating the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) in selected locations. WIC participants are offered the opportunity to purchase local fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized farmers' markets.
Program Overview
Description
The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is a seasonal program in operation during the summer months when local farmers' markets are open for business. WIC participants may receive $16 in special farmers' market checks to redeem for local fresh produce at authorized farmers' markets.
Eligibility
Anyone over the age of one year who is eligible for WIC benefits and lives in a community with a participating local farmers' market. Benefits
WIC FMNP benefits include:
Nutrition learning and guidance to improve eating behavior of fresh fruits and vegetables, and
$16 in checks (each check is worth $2) to be used at authorized local farmers' markets to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables during the season.
WIC FMNP in Montana
During the summer of 2003 summer was 5,695 WIC participants (1,881 women and 3,814 children) received checks,
The participants redeemed $44,842 in WIC FMNP checks, and
Unlike the WIC Program a match is required to receive the Federal funds, and
Eight local WIC agencies and nine farmers' markets participated in FFY 2004.
Effectiveness
The actual effectiveness of WIC FMNP has not been documented. What is known is that less than 23% of Montana adults eat the recommended 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day according to the 2002 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. WIC FMNP is one method of encouraging WIC participants to sample, taste and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, WIC FMNP supports local agriculture. Montana defines "locally grown produce" to include fresh produce grown within the Montana state boundaries and counties outside but adjacent to Montana. WIC FMNP contracts with farmers in the authorized farmers' markets who must have grown at least 10%, or an amount specified by the farmers' market, of the produce they are selling and are not a "wholesaler". The money from WIC FMNP checks cashed at local farmers' markets tends to stay in the community and the state. A national WIC FMNP survey indicates that over 71% of participants in the program would continue to shop and purchase items at local farmers' markets, even if they have spent all of their WIC FMNP checks.
Authority
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) manages an annual WIC FMNP grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture through state rules (ARM (37.59.101-402). Federal WIC FMNP regulations are published in 7 CFR 248. The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) was enacted July 2, 1992, as Public Law 102-314. Various amendments to the Child Nutrition Act, including the most recent amendment of June 30, 2004, have extended the program's authorization.
Contact
Chris Fogelman, RD MPH
406-444-5285 (voice)
800-433-4298 (voice in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, Nevada, Colorado and Washington only)
406-444-0239 (fax)
cfogelman@mt.gov
Mailing Address
Nutrition Section/WIC Program
Family and Community Health Bureau
DPHHS
Cogswell Building
PO Box 202951
Helena, MT 59620-2951
Authorized FMNP List
