How to Become a WIC Authorized Farmers’ Market​

The California Department of Public Health/Women, Infants and Children Division (CDPH/WIC) trains, authorizes, and monitors California farmers’​ market as approved locations for WIC authorized farmers to accept:

• Monthly WIC fruits and vegetable benefits (CVB), and
• Seasonal WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefits. 
• WIC authorized farmers are also automatically authorized to participate in the California Department of Food and Agriculture Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.

Eligibility ​​​Criteria

Eligible farmers’ markets include those who:

• Maintain a current, valid Certified Farmers’ Market (CFM) certificate with the Office of the County Agricultural Commissioner.
• Have a minimum of one WIC authorized farmer selling at the market.

Authorization​ Process

1. Obtain CFM certificate.
2. Contact CDPH/WIC for an application. 
   Email: wicfmnp@cdph.ca.gov 
   ​Phone: 855-942-7867 
3. Complete and submit application and copy of first page of CFM to wicfmnp@cdph.ca.gov.
4. Attend Interactive Training (required for new markets and/or new market managers). You will receive an email from wicvendored@cdph.ca.gov to schedule the training.
5. CDPH/WIC authorizes the farmers’ market and sends Notice of Authorization and authorization signs.
6. Upon authorization, farmer can list market location(s) where they accept benefits.
7. The market manager has the option to deposit WIC and Senior FMNP checks into the market’s financial institution on behalf of the authorized farmer.​

Resources​

• Authorized Farmers’ Market List (PDF)​
• Enabled Farmers List (PDF)​​​​