Doubled WIC benefits at farmers' markets to expand access to fresh food for families

Families participating in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) can receive up to $50 in coupons per participant to supplement food budgets and purchase healthy, local produce to spend at participating farmers’ markets

√ WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits help expand access to food and meet families’ nutritional goals while providing a boost to New York farmers

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can receive double the benefits to spend at participating farmers’ markets, helping to supplement their food budgets and purchase healthy, local products. Eligible individuals can visit their local WIC clinic to receive up to $50 in Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons this season. The WIC FMNP program helps to expand access to food and meet families’ nutritional goals while providing a boost to New York farmers.

This announcement comes during National Farmers’ Market Week, an annual recognition of these local traditions and the critical role they play in communities.

“This expanded benefit is an important part of our daily work to put more money back in the pockets of working families while ensuring all New Yorkers have access to healthy, fresh foods,” Hochul said. “By doubling the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefit this year, we are offering extra help to tens of thousands of families to stretch their dollars even further at their farmers’ market while supporting our local farmers who are growing and producing the fresh food that is so critical to a healthy, nutritious diet, particularly for young children.”

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM), working in partnership with the New York State Department of Health (DOH), administers the FMNP for WIC program. The program traditionally provides a $25 coupon booklet for WIC-eligible participants, but this season, through a waiver requested by AGM and approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, New York state has been able to expand those benefits to $50 per participant.

Pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women, infants and children up to the age of 5, who are enrolled in WIC, are eligible to receive WIC FMNP coupons. These coupons can only be used at participating farmers' markets and farm stands to purchase local, fresh vegetables, fruit, and culinary herbs. Coupon booklets are available at participating local WIC clinics on a first-come, first-served basis. Coupons must be used by Nov. 30.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Since the pandemic, the department has doubled down on its efforts to strengthen the local food system, increase food access, and connect more consumers to farmers to support the state’s agricultural economy. This new program meets all these goals, helping to offset the rise in food prices and encourage our eligible families to maintain their healthy consumption of fruits and vegetables by shopping at their local participating farmers’ market, while supporting our farmers at the same time.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Gov. Hochul’s commitment to ensuring all New Yorkers have access to nutritious food is one of the many ways the state is working to overcome disparities that impact social determinants of health, including food security. This program is an excellent way for participants in the WIC program to supplement their food budget and provide healthy, nutrient-rich meals and snacks for their families.”

Executive Director of the Farmers Market Federation of New York Jack Riffle said, “The Farmers Market Federation of New York applauds Gov. Kathy Hochul's announcement to double the WIC FMNP benefits for families. This significant increase not only empowers families to access more healthy, local produce but also supports New York's dedicated farmers who work tirelessly to provide fresh, nutritious food. By doubling the WIC FMNP program benefit, we are investing directly in New York families and farmers.”

New York state – through the Department of Agriculture and Markets, Department of Health, Office for the Aging, and Office of Temporary Disability Assistance – administers several programs that help low-income families, including those enrolled in WIC and SNAP, older adults, and veterans access fresh, healthy food at participating markets. To learn more about the department's farmers' market programs or to find a market nearby, visit agriculture.ny.gov/farmersmarkets.

The FMNP specifically promotes local producers by expanding their sales at farmers' markets and farm stands and fosters healthy communities though the consumption of locally grown foods. Consumers who are eligible are provided with coupons to use for fresh fruits and vegetables at the more than 700 market locations, including farmers' markets, farm stands, and mobile market stops participating in the FMNP, supplying healthy homegrown foods to communities across New York.

Yesterday, the governor announced New York has issued nearly $200 million in food assistance to more than 1.5 million low-income children as part of the new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program. Last year, Hochul announced a new initiative to double the buying power for SNAP recipients at farmers' markets across New York. The FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative now provides eligible New Yorkers with a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $50 per day at participating farmers’ markets, which allows families in need to purchase more healthy food, including produce, dairy, eggs and meats.