WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
 

What is the CA WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)?

What is the CA WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)?
The WIC FMNP is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program created by Congress in 1992 to accomplish 2 goals:

  • To provide fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables from farmers' markets to low-income families
  • To expand consumer awareness and use of farmers' markets among low-income families.
The Solano WIC Program distributes farmers' market coupons at the Vacaville WIC office only. The WIC FMNP provides a check booklet worth $20 per eligible WIC family to redeem for fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh cut herbs at certified farmers' markets during the months of May through November. The WIC FMNP also provides nutrition education related to purchasing and using fresh fruits and vegetables.
Who can participate?
Women and children from 7 months of age to their 5th birthday are eligible for services of the WIC FMNP in designated areas of California.
How does FMNP benefit WIC participants?
WIC Participants - 97% of California WIC participants said they ate more fresh fruits and vegetables due to their participation in FMNP and 66% said they continue purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets even when they no longer received FMNP checks. Children learning to eat more fresh produce will have less of a risk of becoming obese.

For WIC participants, shopping at the Farmers' Market is about more than buying delicious produce. It's also about meeting the people that grow and harvest their food.
Farmers' Market Links
http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com
http://www.pcfma.com
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Documents/FMNP/WIC-FMNP-FactSheetPublic.pdf