WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program

1. Provide fresh fruits and vegetables to low income women, infants, and children, who are nutritionally at risk;
2. Expand the awareness and use of farmers' markets; and
3. Increase sales at such markets. Nationally, 20 state WIC agencies and 11 Indian tribal organizations participate in the FMNP.

The FMNP provides WIC participants a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables not provided in the WIC food package and allows participants to purchase these foods at Certified Farmers' Markets. These fresh fruits and vegetables are an additional sources of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and iron, nutrients that are important to the health of pregnant women and their children. Even though FMNP targets services to WIC participants, federal regulations require the FMNP to operate separately and independently of the WIC program.

The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program embodies the concept that access to affordable food is a key component in improving nutrition and reducing hunger. The FMNP goals are clear: increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by nutritionally at-risk Americans, and promote the use of farmers' markets. Its methods are simple: giving low-income people nutrition education to accompany the coupons that are redeemable for fresh produce at local farmers' markets, along with related.

This program shows that these ideals can be effectively achieved, resulting in benefits for the community. While promoting better nutrition and improving food purchasing behaviors, the FMNP strengthens the markets by attracting new customers and fostering revitalization of community centers. A larger client base helps sustain farmers' markets, encourages market growth, and ultimately makes a greater variety of affordable, nutritious foods easily accessible for low-income communities. Increased economic opportunity for local farmers translates to a stronger local economy. For a relatively small investment, the FMNP yields valuable returns.

The FMNP benefits California in several ways:

The FMNP furthers public health goals. Studies show that a diet high in fruits and vegetables reduces the incidences of cancer and other preventable diseases. The FMNP's emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables purchases is also consistent with the dietary goal established by Healthy 2000 recommendations and the DHS Five-A-Day campaign. California spends millions of dollars annually on efforts geared toward encouraging healthier eating habits. However, DHS recently released a report,"Overall Trends in Healthy Eating Among Adults, 1989-1997", that indicated that fruit and vegetable consumption is declining among Californians. In contrast, FMNP evaluations consistently indicate that program participation results in participants buying both more and different fresh produce from CFMs and more fresh produce all year long. This trend within the FMNP directly and positively contrasts to statewide patterns, which indicate an overall decline in the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

FMNP supports the Departments' Strategic Plan by helping to attack the underlying causes of preventable diseases.

The FMNP enjoys strong support from the agriculture community. FMNP supports small, independent farmers, thereby fostering local economic development in California. Many of the farmers selling at farmers' markets are minority, women, and family owned/operated businesses.

The FMNP provides a source much needed revenue to small farmers.
For every dollar spent in the FMNP, 83 cents goes to the farmer. Only 17 cents from every dollar spent is used for program administration.

The FMNP's revenue helps small farmers offset the negative fiscal impact stemming from: