WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
 The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program began as a pilot program in 1992 to bring locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables into the homes of WIC participants and help promote local farmers markets.
Each farmers market season in Kentucky, each WIC recipient in a household receives $20 in automated Food Instruments (AFIs) to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables or fresh herbs. Local WIC agencies issue the farmers market AFIs and provide nutrition education on the importance of including fruits and vegetables in the diet daily.
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Where does WIC FMNP operate in Kentucky? |
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Currently, more than 40 participating farmers markets across Kentucky accept WIC farmers market AFIs.
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Who Can Participate? |
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To be eligible you must:
- Be a certified WIC recipient in the counties offering the WIC Farmers Market Nutritional Program. Click here to apply for WIC beneifts.
- Be a woman who is pregnant, postpartum (up to 6 months) or breastfeeding (up to 1 year)
- Be an infant (age 1 by October 1)
- Be a child up to age 5
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What Foods Are Available? |
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 A variety of fresh, nutritious, raw, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs may be purchased with WIC farmers market AFIs. Each state agency develops a list of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs that can be purchased.
Click here for a list of Kentucky’s approved foods for farmers market.
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How Does The Program Operate? |
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WIC Faramers Market Nutritional Program is administered through a federal/state partnership. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture Food Distribution Program administers the program and works with the state WIC Program to administer benefits to WIC participants through WIC coordinators.
WIC participants receive nutrition education at the time of their visit and farmers market AFIs are issued, usually beginning in May each year. AFIs can be useud through mid October.
Nutrition education may be provided by other local partners such as the Cooperative Extension Programs and Farmers Market Associations. Education topics include how to select, store and prepare the fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers markets.
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Other Sites Of Interest |
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WIC Farmers Market State Agency Contact |
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Supplemental Food Programs
Southeast Region - FNS - USDA
61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 8T36
Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Telephone: (404) 562-7100
FAX: (404) 527-4519
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