What is the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP)?

 

What is the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP)?

The New York State Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) consists of two programs: the Women, Infants and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Those who are eligible for these programs are provided checks to redeem for fresh, local fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands.

Purpose:

The purpose of the program is to promote improved nutrition through increased consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also intended to expand sales at farmers’ markets and farm stands.

Participants:

Women who are pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding, and children up to age 5 enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) are eligible to receive FMNP benefits. Also, seniors who are aged 60 and over and are income eligible.

Farmers and farmers’ markets must apply to participate in this program, so that WIC and Senior participants can use their benefits.

Benefits:

Participating in the FMNP supports economic development by increasing a farmer’s sales at farmers’ markets and farm stands. It also helps to promote the growth of family farms by creating a market for their fresh, local fruit and vegetables. The FMNP supports community development projects and the revitalization of downtown commercial storefronts by creating a weekly destination for shoppers and community gathering. It can highlight sustainable change in communities regarding access to fresh, local fruit and vegetables. For participants, the FMNP becomes a monetary supplement to encourage increased consumption of fresh, local fruits and vegetables and to improve their knowledge of how to purchase, store and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables.


What do I need to apply as a market?

Traditional Farmers’ Market

Farmers’ markets interested in applying to the NY Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) should read the Rules and Procedures for Markets (FMC-4) and then submit an application by March 1 every year.

A complete application must include three (3) items:

  1. Market Participation Agreement (FMC-8)
  2. Market Rules and Regulations (e.g. by laws, vendor agreement, etc)
  3. Vendor List (FMC-11)
  4. Training

Farm Stands

Farm stands interested in applying to the NY Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) should read the Rules and Procedures for Markets (FMC-4) and then submit an application by March 1 every year.

A complete application must include the following items:

  1. Market Participation Agreement (FMC-8)
  2. Crop Plan (FMC-12) or Supplier List (FMC-10)
  3. WIC Vegetables and Fruits Check Program (WIC VF) – Farmer Application
  4. WIC Vegetables and Fruits Check Program (WIC VF) – Farmer Agreement
  5. Training*
    *Annual mandatory training is required for the WIC VF and is not the same as training for the FMNP.

For more information regarding WIC VF, please visit here.

Mobile Markets

Mobile markets interested in applying to the NY Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) should read the Rules and Procedures for Markets (FMC-4) and then submit an application by March 1 every year.

A complete application must include the following items:

  1. Market Participation Agreement (FMC-8)
  2. Crop Plan (FMC-12) Or Supplier List (FMC-10)
  3. Market Rules and Regulations (e.g. mission, criteria for farmers, etc.)
  4. Training

Market Application Package (materials to download)

For individual forms, see the bottom of the page.

Traditional Farmers Market:
FMNP Farmer’s Market Application Package

Farm Stand, Mobile Market or Youth Market:
FMNP FS, YM or MM Application Package

Markets must submit applications every year by March 1.

Submit complete applications to:

New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
Attention: FMNP
55 Hanson Place, Room 388
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Or by FAX (718) 722-2836
Or by email soni.singh@agriculture.ny.gov or farmersmarkets@agriculture.ny.gov

Questions: 718-722-2830


What do I need to apply as a Farmer?

Farmers interested in applying to the FMNP may apply on a rolling basis until the end of the program season, which is November 30th. However, farmers may not begin accepting FMNP checks at the farmers’ market or farm stand until they have received their authorization package in the mail every year.

A complete application must include:

  1. FMNP Farmer Participation Agreement (FMC-6)
  2. Completed Crop Plans (FMC-12) should be submitted to every market manager where FMNP checks are accepted.
  3. Training

Submit complete applications to:

New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
Attention: FMNP
10B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12235

Or by FAX (518) 457-2716
Or by email farmersmarkets@agriculture.ny.gov

Questions: 518-457-7076 x1

Farmer Application Package (materials to download)

For individual forms, see the bottom of the page.

FMNP Farmer Application Package

For more information regarding WIC Vegetables and Fruits Checks Program, please visit the webpage here.


FMNP Training

All farmers participating in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) must meet an annual training requirement set by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (Department).

New farmers must undergo a formal training offered by the Department or a market manager/sponsor using the Farmers Market Nutrition Program training materials provided by the Department and submit documentation.

Returning farmers will meet this requirement by submitting a signed Farmer Participation Agreement (FMC-6).

Register for one of our upcoming training webinars here.


Individual Forms:

FMNP Rules and Procedures for Markets (FMC-4)
FMNP Rules and Procedures for Farmers (FMC-5)
FMNP Farmer Participation Agreement (FMC-6)
FMNP Attendance Roster (FMC-7)
FMNP Market Participation Agreement (FMC-8)
FMNP Purchasing Log (FMC-9)
FMNP Supplier List (FMC-10)
FMNP Vendor List (FMC-11)
FMNP Crop Plan (FMC-12)


How to apply as a Senior:

If you are a senior who lives in New York State, aged 60 years or older, and low-income, you may be eligible to receive Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) checks. Eligible seniors receive a booklet with $4.00 Senior FMNP checks that can only be used to purchase local, fresh, unprocessed vegetables and fruits at participating farmers markets and farm stands. Seniors must contact their local county Office for the Aging for more information about where to receive Senior FMNP checks. The program starts July 1 and checks are distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Who do I contact?

If you reside:

    1. Upstate or Outside NYC, contact your County Office for the Aging

 

    1. NYC Metro Area, contact the Department for the Aging (DFTA) or your local senior center:

or
the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP):

How to apply as a WIC Participant

Pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women, infants and children up to the age of five, who are enrolled in the New York State Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) are eligible to receive $4.00 WIC FMNP checks that can only be used at participating farmers markets and farm stands to purchase local, fresh, unprocessed vegetables and fruit. WIC participants receive their $4.00 WIC FMNP checks at their local county WIC office.

WIC participants interested in participating in the NY Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) should contact their local WIC clinic to find out more information at the beginning of the program season, which is June 1.

Who do I contact?

WIC Program:


Educational Materials

List of Authorized Markets

FMNP Training Webinar Power Point – Full Page
The training power point presentation in .pdf format and full slide per page.

FMNP Training Webinar Power Point – Handout
The training power point presentation in .pdf format and two slides per page.

Comparison between FMNP and FreshConnect
A one page comparison sheet between these two programs.

Comparison Between FMNP and WIC VF
A one page comparison sheet between these two programs.

Comparison Between FMNP and SNAP
A one page comparison sheet between these two programs.

General Info Sheet – Nutrition Programs at Farmers Markets
A one page overview sheet of all the nutrition programs available at Farmers Markets.

Video: EBT at the Farmers Market
An educational video produced by GrowNYC on SNAP EBT at the farmers market.

Video: Using EBT, WIC, and FMNP
An educational video produced by GrowNYC on how to use SNAP EBT, WIC and FMNP benefits at the farmers market.

Direct Marketing Resources
Provides more links to information about direct marketing at farmers markets.


Contact Information

Jonathan Thomson, Program Coordinator
Jacqueline Boyer, Operations Manager

Phone: (518) 457-7076 ext. 1
Email: farmersmarkets@agriculture.ny.gov

Author: Harlem Valley News