WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

 

The purposes of the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) are: (1) To provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers, farmers markets, and roadside stands 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, use, and sales at farmers markets and roadside stands.

Active 10.572 Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture A - Formula Grants; B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 No current data available. 1.65 Million Participants, 18,225 Farmers, 3,239 Farmers’ Markets, 2,433 Roadside Stands.
Fiscal Year 2017 1.74 Million Participants, 16,815 Farmers, 3,312 Farmers’ Markets, 2,367 Roadside Stands.
Fiscal Year 2018 Participants: 1,727,234; Farmers: 16,902; Farmers’ Markets: 2,788; Roadside Stands: 2,974
Fiscal Year 2019 No current data available.
Fiscal Year 2020 Approved waivers to program operations under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Fiscal Year 2021 50 State agencies, including 40 States, the District of Columbia, 3 U.S. Territories, and 6 federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) operate the FMNP. Colorado joined in 2021, increasing the number of State agencies from 49 to 50.
Fiscal Year 2022 52 State agencies, including 42 States, the District of Columbia, 3 U.S. Territories, and 6 federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) operated the FMNP. Missouri joined and New Hampshire rejoined the FMNP in 2022, increasing the number of State agencies from 50 to 52.
Fiscal Year 2023 Nebraska and Guam opted not to operate the FMNP and Cherokee Nation rejoined in 2022, decreasing the number of State agencies from 52 to 51. Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA), as amended, Section 17(m)(1), 42 U.S.C. 1786
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296, reauthorized Child Nutrition Programs and amended the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2. Each State agency desiring to administer the FMNP shall annually submit a State Plan of Operations and enter into a written agreement with FNS for the administration of the Program in the jurisdiction of the State agency. New State agencies are selected based on the availability of funds, after base grants for currently participating State agencies. Participating State agencies select local FMNP agencies based on the concentration of eligible WIC participants and access to farmers' markets. Women, infants (over 4 months old), and children (ages 1 year up to age 5) who have been certified to receive WIC Program benefits or are on a waiting list for WIC certification are eligible to participate in the FMNP. State agencies may serve some or all of these categories. A signed Federal/State Agreement (FNS-339) is necessary before funds can be allocated to a participating FMNP State agency. Preapplication coordination is required. Application is made through submission of a State Plan of Operations as required by law. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The State agency is responsible for the fiscal management of and accountability for FMNP-related activities for farmers, farmers' markets, and roadside stands. Each State agency may decide whether to individually authorize farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, or all of the above (authorized outlets). All contracts or agreements entered into by the State agency for the management or operation of authorized outlets shall conform with the requirements of 2 CFR part 200, subpart D and Appendix II, Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards and USDA implementing regulations 2 CFR part 400 and 415. Only outlets authorized by the State agency may redeem FMNP benefits. Only farmers authorized by the State agency or that have a valid agreement with an authorized farmers' market may redeem benefits. The State agency contacts the outlet to inform them of qualification. Individual participants apply for FMNP benefits at approved local WIC agencies. Funds are awarded by the Department on the basis of funding formulas to State agencies. If the available funds are insufficient to meet the base grant levels for current FMNP grantees, a pro-rata reduction is applied to grant levels awarded above $75,000 for all participating FMNP State agencies. If additional funds become available for the FMNP, such funds would first be distributed evenly among the current grantees to make whole their base grants for that fiscal year. Grant payments are made by a letter of credit. The Project grant is available to FMNP State agencies. Not applicable. FNS will provide written approval or denial of a completed State Plan of Operations or amendment within 30 days. As required by law (Section 17(m)(6)(A) of the CNA, as amended), the Secretary must inform each FMNP State agency of the award of funds by February 15 of each year. All decisions by FNS are final. This Program is authorized beginning October 1 of any calendar year and ending September 30 of the following calendar year. Not applicable. The FMNP is administered through a federal/State agency partnership in which the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awards cash grants to State agencies, including U.S. Territories and ITOs, to provide low-income women, infants, and children with benefits (e.g., checks, coupons, or electronic benefits) that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers’ markets and roadside stands. As a prerequisite to receiving federal funds for the FMNP, each applying or participating State agency must submit a State Plan of Operations describing how the State agency intends to administer all aspects of the FMNP within its jurisdiction. The majority of grant funds must be used for food benefits. State agencies may use up to 17 percent of their grants for program administrative costs. Not applicable. Not applicable. Each State agency shall maintain complete records concerning FMNP operations. Such records shall comply with 2 CFR part 200, subpart D and USDA implementing regulations 2 CFR part 400 and part 415 and the following requirements: (1) Records shall include, but not be limited to, information pertaining to financial operations, FMNP benefit issuance and redemption, equipment purchases and inventory, nutrition education, and civil rights procedures; and (2) All records shall be retained for a minimum of 3 years following the date of submission of the final expenditure report for the period to which the report pertains. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. 30%. As a prerequisite to the receipt of Federal funds, a State agency must agree to contribute program income, in-kind contributions, or State, local or private funds equal to at least 30 percent of its administrative program cost. The match may be satisfied through expenditures for similar farmers' market programs that operate during the same period as the FMNP. Similar programs include other farmers' market programs which serve low-income women, infants, and children (who may or may not be WIC participants or on the waiting list for WIC services), as well as other categories of low-income recipients, such as, but not limited to, low-income elderly persons. ITOs may provide a lower match based on negotiation with the Department but not less than 10 percent of the administrative cost of the program. The matching funds can come from a variety of sources, such as State or local funds, private funds, similar programs, in-kind contributions, or program income.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. FMNP funds are allocated to State agencies annually and available through September 30 of the fiscal year. State agencies may withdraw funds only as needed. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Letter. https://www.fns.usda.gov/fns-regional-offices. Mary Rose Conroy
1320 Braddock Place
Alexandria, VA 22314 US
maryrose.conroy@usda.gov
Phone: 7033052746 http://www.fns.usda.gov/fmnp/wic-farmers-market-nutrition-program-fmnp 12-3510-0-1-605 (Formula Grants) FY 22$40,409,312.00; FY 23 est $41,340,219.00; FY 24 est $40,000,000.00; FY 21$29,829,601.00; FY 20$22,597,119.00; FY 19$18,548,000.00; FY 18$18,548,000.00; FY 17$18,548,000.00; FY 16$18,548,000.00; - Food and Administrative Grants(Project Grants) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 FY 24 FY 21$0.00; FY 20$0.00; - FY 2022 grants range from $9,635 to $8,716,200. (actual) FY 2023 grants range from $9,635 to $5,858,776. (actual) 7 CFR part 248, 2 CFR part 200 Fiscal Year 2016 No Current Data Available. 49 State agencies, U.S. Territories and federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations.
Fiscal Year 2019 49 State agencies, U.S. Territories and federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs).
Fiscal Year 2020 FMNP is operated by 50 State agencies, including 40 States, the District of Columbia, 3 U.S. Territories, and 6 federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs).