About the Women, Infants & Children's (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The Women, Infants & Children's (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, popularly known as WIC. Eligible WIC participants are issued FMNP coupons in addition to their regular WIC benefits. These coupons can be used to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers' markets or roadside stands that have been approved by the state agency to accept FMNP coupons.
The FMNP was established by Congress in 1992, to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of, and sales at farmers’ markets.
FNS awards grants to states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs). The program is administered by state agencies such as state agriculture departments, health departments or ITOs.
Congress appropriates funding annual for the administration of the FMNP. Federal funds support 100 percent of the food costs and 70 percent of the administrative costs of the program.
See more information on FNS's WIC-FMNP site.
