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 of, and sales at farmers' markets and roadside stands.
General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
10.572
Federal Agency/Office
Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
A - Formula Grants
Program Accomplishments
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.
Authorization
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA), as amended, Section 17(m)(1), 42 U.S.C. 1786
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
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 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. Local FMNP agencies are selected by participating State agencies based on concentration of eligible WIC participants and access to farmers' markets.
Beneficiary Eligibility
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 who 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.
Credentials/Documentation
A signed Federal/State Agreement (FNS-339) is necessary before funds can be allocated to a participating FMNP State agency.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. Application is made through submission of a State Plan of Operations as required by law.
Application Procedure
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 authorize farmers individually, farmers' markets, roadside stands, or all of the above. All contracts or agreements entered into by the State agency for the management or operation of farmers, farmers' markets and roadside stands 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 farmers, farmers' markets and roadside stands authorized by the State agency may redeem FMNP coupons. Only farmers authorized by the State agency or that have a valid agreement with an authorized farmers' market may redeem coupons. 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. If the available funds are insufficient to meet the base grant levels for current FMNP grantees, a pro-rata reduction will be applied to the grant levels awarded to 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.
Deadlines
By November 15 of each year, each applying or participating State agency shall submit to FNS for approval a State Plan of Operations for the following year as a prerequisite to receiving federal funds.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
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.
Appeals
All decisions by FNS are final.
Renewals
This Program is authorized beginning October 1 of any calendar year and ending September 30 of the following calendar year.
How are proposals selected?
Not applicable.
How may assistance be used?
The FMNP is administered through a federal/State 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 checks or coupons (coupons) 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 the manner in which the State agency intends to administer all aspects of the FMNP within its jurisdiction.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
Each State agency shall maintain full and 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 coupon 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.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
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. State contributions for similar programs may satisfy the State matching requirement. 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.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
FMNP funds are provided using Federal Reserve Bank letters of credit and end on November 30 of the following fiscal year. State agencies may withdraw funds only as needed. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Letter.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
https://www.fns.usda.gov/fns-regional-offices.
Headquarters Office
Sarah Widor, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division
5th Floor
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302 US
Sarah.Widor@fns.usda.gov
Phone: (703) 305-2746
Website Address
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fmnp/wic-farmers-market-nutrition-program-fmnp
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3510-0-1-605
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 18$18,548,000.00; FY 19 est $18,548,000.00; FY 20 est $0.00; FY 17$18,548,000.00; FY 16$18,548,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
FY 2018 grants ranged from $6,337 to $3,985,456. (actual) FY 2019 grants range from $6,337 to $3,871,070. (estimated)
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR part 248, 2 CFR part 200
Examples of Funded Projects
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).