Farmers Market Nutrition Program

The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is designed to provide families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) with locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

Purpose

Provide locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for WIC families, and
Expand awareness and access to farmers markets where consumers can buy directly from the grower.

How the Program Works

Packets of $2 checks at a value up to $20 are distributed June through September to participants through WIC agencies across the state. The participants redeem their checks for Washington grown fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized farmers markets through October 31st. No change is given for the checks. Authorized growers accept the checks, have them stamped with a unique identifier, and cash them at local banks. During the program’s season, participating WIC agencies provide nutrition education on how to select, store and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables, and provide creative ways to incorporate these foods into their participant’ diets.

Benefits

Reinforces the message that eating more fruits and vegetables matters for better health
Educates WIC families on nutrition and prevention of chronic disease
Promotes Washington grown produce
Increases sales for Washington growers

WIC FMNP Helps Families to Make Healthy Choices

The program is one of the many ways WIC helps communities take positive steps to reduce rates of obesity and chronic disease by increasing WIC families’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

The program was developed in cooperation with the Washington State Farmers Market Association and is administered by the Washington State Department of Health.

FMNP Resources

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program - Fact Sheet [pdf 403 KB]
WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program – Fact Sheet [Word 202 KB]
Farmers Market Nutrition Program - Sample Growers Check [pdf 250 KB]
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program - Sample Growers Check [pdf 257 KB]