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Farmers' Markets
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Including Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Fresh Connect
Acting under Articles 22 and 23 of the Agriculture and Markets
Law, Department staff facilitate and promote the direct marketing
of New York State agricultural products from producers to consumers
and wholesale buyers through technical assistance, grant financing
and the production of publications.
 Farmers’
Markets
AML Article 22-Farmers' Markets
AML Article 23-Direct Marketing
Forms and Documents
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
WIC Vegetables and Fruits Check Program at Farmers' Markets
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
The New York State Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides
checks to low-income, nutritionally at-risk families enrolled in
the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) and Senior Nutrition Programs. The checks are redeemable
for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets.
 The
purpose of the program is to promote improved nutrition through
increased consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
It is also intended to expand sales at farmers' markets. The Department
collaborates with the New York State Department of Health, the New
York State Office for the Aging, and Cornell Cooperative Extension
in administering the program.
Farmers must sign up annually with a manager of the market(s) in
which they plan to participate. Farmers will receive participation
materials from the Department after we are notified by the market
manager. There is no fee to participate.
WIC clients receive benefits automatically provided that their
local WIC agency participates in the Program. FMNP checks are issued
one per household, not by individual.
Seniors receive their FMNP checks from local senior centers, except
in New York City where checks are issued from congregate meal sites
or the Department of Health's Food and Nutrition sites. Eligible
seniors must be at least 60 years of age and be receiving benefits
through Social Security, pubic assistance, food stamps, HEAP, or
section 8 housing or earn less than $1,670 per month for a single
senior or $2,246 for a couple.
For more information on participation in the Farmers' Market Nutrition
Program and how to redeem FMNP checks, please contact us at FarmersMarkets@agriculture.ny.gov.
WIC Vegetables and Fruits Checks at Farmers' Markets
The WIC Vegetables and Fruits Check Program (WIC VF) is the program started in 2009 that provides WIC moms and kids with monthly checks of $6.00 for kids and $10.00 for moms. These checks can be used either at grocery stores or farmers markets to purchase fruits and vegetables. To participate in this program farmers must fill out an application and agreement in addition to their FMNP application and attend annual training specifically for the WIC Vegetables and Fruits Check Program. The application and agreement are in effect for 3 years at which time the farmer must complete a new application and agreement.
Webinars
WIC Vegetables & Fruits Check Program - Farmer Training
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