Description
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Provides participants of the Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
with coupons to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at
farmers' markets or roadside stands that have been approved by a
State agency to accept FMNP coupons. |
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Works to expand the sales and to promote
the awareness and use of local farmers’ markets. |
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Provides participants with FMNP coupons in
addition to their WIC checks. |
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Operates in 38 States, the District of
Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and five Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs).
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Background
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The program was established by Congress in
1992; operated as a pilot program for 3 years prior to that time. |
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FMNP recipients’
Federal food benefit may
not be less than $10 and no more than $30 per year, per recipient,
but State agencies may supplement the benefit level. |
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The program is administered by the Food and
Nutrition Service through cash grants to State agencies. It is
operated by State agencies such as State Agriculture Departments or
Health Departments or ITOs. |
Participants
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Almost 2.5 million
WIC participants received FMNP benefits in FY 2006. |
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Women, infants older than 4 months of age
and children certified to receive WIC program benefits or who are on
a waiting list for WIC certification. State agencies may serve some
or all of these categories. |
Budget
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$19.8 million FY 2006 and FY 2007
(est).
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Contact Information
Last modified: October 2007
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