Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Available for WIC Participants

Maternal and Family Health Services announced that the agency’s WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Nutrition Centers are distributing farmers’ market vouchers to WIC participants. The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) helps families with nutritional needs buy fresh fruits and vegetables from Pennsylvania farmers to help ensure good health for mothers and children and support community farmers’ markets. 
FMNP provides qualifying WIC participants with $24 in vouchers (4 – $6.00 vouchers) to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets between June 1 and November 30.  Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, and children between the ages of 1 and 5 years old are eligible.  
WIC nutrition staff distribute the vouchers to WIC participants along with nutrition education emphasizing the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and a list of participating farmers’ markets in the area.   
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.  Across the Commonwealth, over 1000 farmers benefit from the program.  For more information or to apply for WIC, visit www.mfhs.org, or call 1-800-367-6347. 
Pennsylvania WIC is funded by the USDA.  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.