WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The purposes of the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) are: (1) To provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers, farmers’ markets, and roadside stands to women, infants, and children who participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); and (2) To expand the awareness, use, and sales at farmers’ markets and roadside stands.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Department/Agency of U.S. State
- Department/Agency of U.S. Territorial Gov
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
Each WIC State agency desiring to administer the FMNP shall annually submit a State Plan of Operations and enter into a written agreement with FNS for the administration of the Program in the jurisdiction of the State agency. New State agencies are selected based on the availability of funds, after base grants for currently participating State agencies. Participating State agencies select local FMNP agencies based on the concentration of eligible WIC participants and access to farmers' markets.
Beneficiaries
- Infant and Toddler (0–3)
- U.S. Citizen
- Resident/Citizen of U.S. Territory
Women, infants (over 4 months old), and children (ages 1 year up to age 5) who have been certified to receive WIC Program benefits or 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.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
Funding is provided via a federal/state agreement and must be budgeted in the State Plan of Operations.
Award Procedure
Funds are awarded by the Department on the basis of funding formulas to State agencies. If the available funds are insufficient to meet the prior year grant levels for previously participating State agencies, then a pro-rata reduction is applied to grant levels above $75,000. If additional funds become available for the FMNP, such funds would first be distributed pro rata among the current grantees to meet their prior year grant levels for that fiscal year. Grant payments are made by a letter of credit.
FNS will provide written approval or denial of a completed State Plan of Operations or amendment within 30 days. As required by law (Section 17(m)(6)(A) of the CNA, as amended), the Secretary must inform each FMNP State agency of the award of funds by February 15 of each year.
Program details & compliance
Description
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 income eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.
The purposes of the WIC FMNP are: (1) To provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers, farmers’ markets, and roadside stands to women, infants, and children who participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); and (2) To expand the awareness, use, and sales at farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Eligible WIC participants are issued FMNP coupons in addition to their regular WIC benefits. These coupons can be used to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers markets or roadside stands that have been approved by the state agency to accept FMNP coupons.
Mission Categories
Primary: Food and Nutrition for Individual and Families
Other categories:
Food Security
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
The FMNP is administered through a federal/State agency partnership in which the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awards cash grants to State agencies, including U.S. Territories and ITOs, to provide income eligible women, infants, and children with benefits (e.g., checks, coupons, or electronic benefits) that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers’ markets and roadside stands. As a prerequisite to receiving federal funds for the FMNP, each applying or participating State agency must submit a State Plan of Operations describing how the State agency intends to administer all aspects of the FMNP within its jurisdiction. The majority of grant funds must be used for food benefits. State agencies may use up to 17 percent of their grants for program administrative costs.
Required Documentation
A signed Federal/State Agreement (FNS-339) is necessary before funds can be allocated to a participating FMNP State agency.
Matching Requirements
As a prerequisite to the receipt of Federal funds, a State agency must agree to contribute program income, in-kind contributions, or State, local or private funds equal to at least 30 percent of its administrative program cost. The match may be satisfied through expenditures for similar farmers' market programs that operate during the same period as the FMNP. Similar programs include other farmers' market programs which serve low-income women, infants, and children (who may or may not be WIC participants or on the waiting list for WIC services), as well as other categories of low-income recipients, such as, but not limited to, low-income elderly persons. ITOs may provide a lower match based on negotiation with the Department but not less than 10 percent of the administrative cost of the program. The matching funds can come from a variety of sources, such as State or local funds, private funds, similar programs, in-kind contributions, or program income.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements
Formula
2007 U.S. Farm Bill