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It’s National Farmers Market Week. How are you celebrating? Maybe you’ve grown fruits and vegetables that you’re taking to the market to sell. Perhaps you’re going to look around and purchase products from other local farmers. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests that we celebrate the week by thinking of families that are struggling.
The USDA’s WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefits both low-income mothers and their children as well as farmers and farmers markets.
“WIC participants are able to access locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs that promote the wellbeing and health of themselves and their children. Just last year, 1.6 million WIC participants received FMNP benefits which, when redeemed, surpassed $14.1 million in total revenue for participating farmers and farmers markets,” the USDA states. Eligible participants include women, infants over 4 months and old and children who are WIC-certified.
For more information on the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, including which states authorize farmers to accept WIC Cash Value Vouchers, visit the USDA website.
