Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides checks to low-income 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 Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is an excellent resource since it improves access to fresh fruits and vegetables locally grown and also supports many local farmers.

WIC participants can automatically receive $24 worth of checks at their local WIC office if the office participates in the WIC FMNP program. They can use the checks to purchase food at authorized farmers’ markets. To locate a WIC program, folks can call the state’s toll-free line: 1-800-522-5006. This is also the phone number to call for information about the WIC program.
Low-income seniors can receive $20 worth of seasonal 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 (FAN) 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 $1,491 per month for a single senior or $2,010 for a couple (maybe reuse this year). Senior citizens interested in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) can contact their local Office for the Aging or call the New York State Senior Hotline at 1-800-342-9871. The checks are issued in the growing season, beginning in June or July.

Feel free to download our outreach flyer and distribute it in your community:
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Flyer

The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers the SFMNP grants to states.
The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets partners with the State Department of Health in administrating the FMNP in New York. At selected farmers' markets and WIC sites, Cornell Cooperative Extension provides hands-on nutrition education information in fruit and vegetable selection and preparation.

New York State has approximately 300 farmers' markets and 900 farmers enrolled in the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

For more information on the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, please contact the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets:

Jonathan Thomson
NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets
10 B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12235-0001
Telephone: 518-457-7076 or (800) 554-4501
Fax: 518-457-2716
Email: jonathan.thomson@agmkt.state.ny.us
Website: http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/agservices/marketing.html

Bob Lewis
NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets
55 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Telephone: (718) 722-2830
Fax: (718) 722-2836
Bob.Lewis@agmkt.state.ny.us

USDA’s website on FMNP:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP/SFMNPmenu.htm

Overview

Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

Food Stamp Program

School Meal Programs

Summer Food Service Program

WIC Program