Federal Program Spotlight: Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

by | Feb 27, 2015

 

This post is part of Transform Consulting Group’s blog series highlighting federal programs that provide education opportunities and/or youth development services in communities.

FMNP Logo-web.ashxThe Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, colloquially known as WIC. WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education at no cost to low-income pregnant and post-partum women, and to infants and children up to 5 years of age, who are found to be at nutritional risk. The program is managed by USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Congress established FMNP in 1992 to expand awareness and the use of farmers’ markets by providing fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants. In Indiana, the FMNP is managed by the State Department of Health. Each state that participates in FMNP must submit an annual plan describing how the responsible agency intends to implement, operate, and administer all aspects of its FMNP.

FMNP services also include a nutritional education component. Through local WIC agencies, program participants are encouraged to improve and expand diets by adding fresh fruits and vegetables. Among many other aspects of good nutrition, participants are taught how to properly select, store, and prepare any fruits and vegetables purchased.

The WIC target population are low-income, nutritionally at risk:

  • Pregnant women (through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth or after pregnancy ends)
  • Breastfeeding women (up to infant’s 1st birthday)
  • Non-breastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months after the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends)
  • Infants (up to 1st birthday). WIC serves 53 percent of all infants born in the United States
  • Children up to their 5th birthday

In fiscal year 2013, $16.548 million was appropriated by Congress and 1.5 million WIC participants received FMNP benefits1.  During the same year, 17,713 farmers, 3,322 farmers’ markets, and 2,758 roadside stands were authorized to accept FMNP coupons. Over $13.2 million in revenue to farmers was generated. Click here to find more information about the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program participating state agencies.

The US Federal Government provides billions of dollars in grants every year. Take advantage of the opportunity to use federal dollars to support your cause. Transform Consulting Group has many years experience submitting successful federal grant applications. Contact us today for a free consultation!


 

 

Related Articles

10 Tips for Your Year-End Giving Campaign

10 Tips for Your Year-End Giving Campaign

Another year is quickly coming to an end! Before you know it, we’ll be saying “Happy New Year”. We’re heading into the season of giving. It is the busy time of year when donor dollars increase...

read more
You Have a Strategic Plan, Now What?

You Have a Strategic Plan, Now What?

Do you have a strategic plan yet to be implemented and sitting on a shelf? Your staff and board spent countless hours of time and money (if you hired a consultant) to develop a strategic plan, but...

read more

Blogs

Tools

Data Informed Tool

Data-Informed Tools

Toolkits address the “why” of data.

Data Informed Tool

Data Dashboard Tools

It is still possible to meet your fundraising goals

Data Informed Tool

Strategic Planning Tools

We’ll work to identify the key stakeholders to inform your planning process.

Data Informed Tool

Evaluation Tools

How effective is your program? Is it working as intended?

Data Informed Tool

Fundraising Tools

With simple, practical tools, your team can diversify funding streams.

Data Informed Tool

Coalition Tools

Is your issue bigger than one organization can handle? A coalition may be the answer!