Do you know about the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program?

[bicentennial_baby]

No? I didn't either, until now...

"The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, popularly known as WIC. The WIC Program provides supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education at no cost to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding post-partum women, and to infants and children up to 5 years of age, who are found to be at nutritional risk.

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."

"Currently, 45 State agencies operate the FMNP. They include the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and 37 States: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. In addition, 5 Indian Tribal Organizations administer the Program: Chickasaw, Oklahoma; Osage Tribe, Oklahoma; the Mississippi Band of Choctaws; the Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, New Mexico, and the Pueblos of San Felipe, New Mexico."

"Women, infants (over 4 months old) and children that have been certified to receive WIC program benefits or who are on a waiting list for WIC certification are eligible to participate in the FMNP. State agencies may serve some or all of these categories."

I wish more people knew about this. I think it's wonderful. :)

[bicentennial_baby]

1. Alright, I'll kick this..

:kick:

C'mon, spread the word! :bounce:

[rwheeler31]

2. We used to have this i Missouri, it is a great program.

[bicentennial_baby]

3. Why don't you have it anymore?

:(

[davsand]

4. Flashback to 1997. We were broke, with a new baby, and were on WIC.

They had that Farmer's Market program available in Illinois even back then. WIC by itself is a great program, but the access to fresh locally produced foods was a blessing. Given how much food prices have risen since then, I can only imagine how much it would help now...



Laura

[bicentennial_baby]

5. I just wish more people knew it was there!!

Sigh...I'm going to keep trying to get the word out, though. :)

And I'm glad that you had access to it! Awesome!! :bounce:

:hi:

[davsand]

14. Our local Farmer's Markets are seasonal.

They are outdoors and (as I am sure you all can imagine) not operative in the cold months both due to lack of local product and lack of an indoor venue. Maybe this isn't the right place to bring it up, but how do other communities manage to keep this aspect of the WIC program useful?

I have no idea how they do it, but in St Louis, the Soulard Market runs all year in spite of their similar weather and growing conditions. I know there have to be similar places in the Midwest--so how do they manage to do it? Is this something that a community organization could (or should) do?

Sorry for the thread jacking, but I figured it was at least a little bit relevant to the discussion...



Laura

[Cerridwen]

6. Recommend and a kick.

This is a great idea. I was going to say I can't believe I've never heard of it. Then I notice Nevada is not on the list. surprise. And yes, for those who don't know, there are some farms in Nevada north and south; desert though it may be. You'll notice Arizona is on the list; desert though it is.

[PeaceNikki]

7. It's available for seniors in WI as well. I don't know about other states...

http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/press_release/result.jsp?prid=265

I, too, will spread the word.

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Wow, that's great!

Just read it! Go WI!! :bounce:

Thank you!!! :hi:

[bpeale]

8. i received WIC in 1978

[bicentennial_baby]

10. If you don't mind my asking...

What was it like then?

:pals:

[bpeale]

15. i got a check every month

at that time, the things you could buy were only for the baby. formula, baby food...stuff like that. nothing for the mother. because i got it, i kept my daughter on formula for the first full year of her life where i otherwise probably would not have. i was also in the service at the time, so the WIC money went further since i could shop at the commissary. i think the amount i got then was under $25/month.

[kineneb]

11. I did, I managed a farmers market for 12 years

We were happy to be one of the first markets in the SF East Bay to take the WIC-FM coupons, even though they were a pain to count. We had a checking account especially to exchange the coupons so the individual growers would not have to go through the paperwork. On some occasions we would deposit several thousand dollars worth of coupons because the growers didn't want to deal with them- think of having to sign/stamp hundreds of $1 checks.

The program was really helpful in getting poor women and children to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

[bicentennial_baby]

12. That is so nice to hear...

Exactly! Someone needs to find a way to make this a) better known of and b) better utilized!!

(This is coming from MA, and also N.E., and there are such rich possibilities that can help both the poor and the agricultural communities in N.E.

[bicentennial_baby]

13. kick

:kick: