WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) (10.572)

Program

10.572 WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Food and Nutrition Service

Authorization

WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Act of 1992, Public Law 102-314, 106 Stat. 281; Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, Section 17(m), 42 U.S.C. 1786.

Program Number

10.572

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

(1) To provide fresh, nutritious unprepared locally grown fruits and vegetables from farmers markets to women, infants, and children who participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); and (2) to expand the awareness and use of farmers' markets and increase sales at such markets.

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants are made to State health, agriculture and other agencies (or Indian tribes, bands, or intertribal councils or groups recognized by the Department of the Interior, or the Indian Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services.) Participating State agencies must provide program income or State, local, or private funds for the program in an amount that is equal to at least 30 percent of the administrative cost of the program except Indian Tribal Organizations which may receive a negotiated match contribution that is less than 30 percent but not less than 10 percent. The matching requirement may be satisfied from State contributions that are made for similar programs. Federal FMNP benefits (coupons) may be issued only to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or to persons who are on a waiting list to receive WIC benefits. Participating State agencies must provide program income or State, local, or private funds for the program in an amount that is equal to at least 30 percent of the administrative cost of the program except Indian Tribal Organizations which may receive a negotiated match contribution that is less than 30 percent but not less than 10 percent. The matching requirement may be satisfied from State contributions that are made for similar programs.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

All State agencies that desire to receive a FMNP grant must submit, for each fiscal year, a State plan to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA. States that received Federal assistance under the Farmers' Market Coupon Demonstration Project, which was administered by FNS from 1989-1992, were "grandfathered" into the FMNP by Public Law 102-314. Other States interested in participating in the FMNP must first submit a State plan to the appropriate FNS regional office for approval. Approved plans are then reviewed and evaluated by the National office (Supplemental Food Programs Division). New State agencies are then selected based on the evaluation and the availability of funds. Local FMNP sites are selected by participating State agencies based on concentration of eligible WIC participants and access to farmers' markets.

Beneficiary Eligibility

WIC participants (i.e., pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding women; infants over 4 months of age; and children up to 5 years of age) and (at the State's discretion) those who are on a waiting list to receive WIC benefits are eligible to receive FMNP coupons. State agencies may also designate subcategories of WIC participants, e.g., pregnant and breastfeeding women only, to be FMNP recipients.

Credentials/Documentation

WIC participants (except infants under 4 months of age) and persons on WIC waiting lists certified for WIC eligibility who live in areas with a FMNP are eligible to receive benefits. A signed and executed Federal/State Agreement is necessary before funds can be allocated to a participating FMNP State agency. Costs will be determined in accordance with 7 CFR Part 3016, and FNS guidelines and instructions. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Application is made through submission of a "State Plan of Program Operation and Administration" as required by law. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Farmers or farmers' markets (depending on whether State agencies have agreements with farmers or markets) located in communities with WIC Program sites may apply to be authorized to accept FMNP coupons under the program. The State agency reviews the applications for completeness and compliance with authorization requirements. The State agency contacts the farmer/farmers' market to inform them of qualification. Individual participants apply for FMNP benefits at approved local WIC agencies.

Award Procedure

Funds are awarded by the Department on the basis of funding formulas to State agencies.

Deadlines

Nov 15, 2009 A State plan for the next fiscal year is required by November 15.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

An eligibility determination will be made within 30 days of submission.

Appeals

Farmer/farmers' market appeals: The State agency shall provide a hearing procedure whereby a farmer/farmers' market adversely affected by a State agency action may appeal the action. The right of appeal shall be granted when a farmer/farmers' market is denied or, during the course of the contract or agreement, when a farmer/farmers' market is disqualified or any other adverse action which affects participation is taken.

Renewals

This Program is authorized through September 30, 2009.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula: Statutory formula can be found at Section 17(m)(3) of the Child Nutrition Act. As a prerequisite to the receipt of Federal funds, a State agency must agree to contribute program income or State, local or private funds equal to at least 30 percent of its administrative program cost. Indian Tribal Organizations may receive a negotiated match contribution that is less than 30 percent but not less than 10 percent. State contributions for similar programs may satisfy the State matching requirement. Provided that sufficient funds are available, each current State agency will be funded at its most recent year's level. Remaining funds are divided between current States for expansion and new States, based on a 75 to 25 percent ratio, respectively.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 10.%. As a prerequisite to the receipt of Federal funds, a State agency must agree to contribute program income or State, local or private funds equal to at least 30 percent of its administrative program cost. Indian Tribal Organizations may receive a negotiated match contribution that is less than 30 percent but not less than 10 percent. State contributions for similar programs may satisfy the State matching requirement.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants have been released for the duration of the fiscal year using Federal Reserve Bank letters of credit. State agencies may withdraw funds only as needed. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual reports submitted to FNS specifying the following data: Number and type of recipients (Federal and nonfederal); number of authorized farmers, farmers' markets, and farm or roadside stands; value of coupons issued and redeemed; and financial expenditure data. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. State and local agencies shall obtain either a single audit or a program-specific audit in accordance with 7 CFR 3016.26 or 3019.26 and 3052, as applicable.

Records

State agencies must maintain full and complete records including recipient and financial data; coupon issuance and redemption data; equipment purchases and inventory; nutrition education and civil rights procedures.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: FNS has approved the operation of the FMNP in 46 State agencies, which include 37 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and 5 Indian Tribal Organizations for fiscal year 2006, thereby increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers' markets by many more WIC recipients. This is consistent with the nutrition goals of WIC and FMNP to motivate WIC participants to make healthy food choices. Fiscal Year 2009: Unavailable. Fiscal Year 2010: Unavailable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-3510-0-1-605.

Obligations

(Salaries) FY 08 $19,860,000; FY 09 est $19,800,000; FY 10 est $20,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Unaviable.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

7 CFR Part 248.

Related Programs

10.551 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; 10.553 School Breakfast Program; 10.555 National School Lunch Program; 10.556 Special Milk Program for Children; 10.557 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; 10.565 Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. See Food and Nutrition Service updated regional office listed in Appendix IV.

Headquarters Office

Debra Whitford Food and Nutrition Service, Supplemental Food Programs Division
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 Email: Debbie.Whitford@fns.usda.gov Phone: 703-305-2746 Fax: unavailable

Web Site Address

http://www.fns.usda.gov./wic/.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: None available. Fiscal Year 2009: None available. Fiscal Year 2010: None available.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Will be in the solicitation.