The Purpose of WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health education, breastfeeding support, healthy food and referrals to other services for Maine families that qualify. WIC supports women and children with nutritious foods during critical times of growth and development.
The WIC Program is federally-funded by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services.
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The Purpose of The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), like WIC, is a program of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. Combined with Maine’s WIC Nutrition Program, its focus is to increase the use of fresh, unprocessed, locally grown fruits and vegetables by WIC participants.
The second purpose of the program is to increase WIC participants’ awareness of Farmers Markets and local foods.
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Farmer training dates
Web session via Teams Meeting:
Tuesday 3/9 at 2pm Tuesday 3/18 at 9am
Phone Conference: Monday 3/22 at 9am Friday 3/26 at 1pm
Register for WIC Farmer training
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2021 WIC Farmer Hours Let us promote your business, all WIC farmers please complete information by April 30. Farmer Season & Hours of Operation
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Allowed Foods
Maine WIC Farmers must:
- Grow at least 50% of the produce for sale to WIC customers.
- Label any produce they are selling that was grown by someone else with the name and location of the farm it came from.
FMNP checks can be used to purchase fresh, unprocessed Maine-grown fruits and vegetables from a WIC authorized farmer. These are examples of foods that can be purchased using the purple FMNP checks:
Apples |
Artichokes |
Asparagus |
Beans (green or yellow) |
Beets |
Beet Greens |
Blackberries |
Blueberries |
Bok Choy |
Broccoli |
Brussels Sprouts |
Cabbage |
Carrots |
Cauliflower |
Celery |
Corn |
Cranberries |
Cucumbers |
Eggplant |
Garlic |
Grapes |
Greens |
Herbs (fresh only) |
Kohlrabi |
Leeks |
Lettuce |
Melons |
Mushrooms |
Onions |
Parsnips |
Pears |
Peas |
Peppers |
Plums |
Potatoes |
Pumpkins |
Radishes |
Raspberries |
Rhubarb |
Rutabaga |
Scallions |
Shallots |
Spinach |
Strawberries |
Squash (summer or winter) |
Tomatoes |
Turnips |
Zucchini |
The following are examples of foods that cannot be purchased with the purple FMNP checks:
Baked Goods |
Bananas |
Bedding |
Canned Goods |
Cheese |
Cider |
Dried Beans |
Dried Herbs |
Eggs |
Honey |
Jams/Jellies |
Lemons/Limes |
Maple Syrup |
Meats |
Milk |
Nuts |
Oranges |
Pickles |
Plants (any kind) |
Seafood |
Sweets/Candies |
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WIC Fruits and Vegetables Benefit
We are excited to announce that this summer farmers will be able to accept former CVV benefit checks (now eWIC card) through an app on your Smartphone. Stay tuned for more information as it develops. Let us know if you would like to be involved in the testing or pilot process.
Maine WIC Portal
Also, we are moving to an online platform starting this year. An online platform will reduce the need for mailing back and forth of documents. It will also allow farmers to make annual updates to hours of operation as well as farm stand and farmers market sales locations through the portal.
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Equitable Treatment of WIC Customers
WIC Farmers must always treat WIC customers the same as you would any other customer, and provide them the same quality produce at the same price.
FMNP Check
Transaction and Redemption Procedures
Transacting Purple FMNP checks:
- Confirm today is between dates to use.
- Sell only fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Maine to a WIC customer who is using a purple Farmers’ Market check.
- The value of the check is already printed on the check. If the customer purchases more produce than the value of the check, they must pay the difference another way.
- Ask the customer to sign the check on the front.
- Provide a receipt if requested.
You must stamp FMNP checks with your WIC Farmer Stamp before depositing. If a check is not stamped, the check will reject at the bank and your bank could charge you a fee.
Always:
- Have the customer sign the FMNP check in black or blue ink on the front lower right corner.
- Regularly clean your WIC stamp with warm, soapy water and re-ink your stamp when it gets too light. Store your WIC stamp in a secure location. If you lose or break your WIC stamp call us.
- Display a “WIC Accepted Here” sticker in your window and display your “WIC Accepted Here” poster or banner. Call us at 1-800-437-9300 if you need a new sticker or poster.
Never:
- Accept FMNP/ checks at a self-serve farm stand.
- Give cash-back or credit in a WIC transaction.
Payment: WIC will make payment to the farmer upon receipt of validly transacted FMNP checks for food costs incurred in providing WIC approved foods to WIC customers. WIC:
- Will deny payment, either partially or fully, to a farmer for improperly transacted or redeemed FMNP checks.
- May establish a claim for payments already made on improperly transacted FMNP checks.
- May offset future payments for the claim. WIC will deny payment to the farmer for more than the price limitations of the FMNP checks.
Deposit Timeframes: Purple FMNP checks must be deposited with your bank before November 30th. WIC will not pay for any checks deposited after November 30th.
Appeals for Denied Checks: For farmers who believe a payment denial has been made incorrectly, or believe there is a justifiable reason why payment should be made, the Department may consider payment approval with valid justification. A farmer must submit a written payment reconsideration request to the Department within sixty (60) days of the “LAST-DAY-TO-USE” printed on the check. Remember to always keep a photocopy of all items being mailed, including the front and back of the check. The check appeal form can be found on our website, https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/wic/farmer/documents/Check%20Appeal.pdf.
Canceling and Storing FMNP Checks
Cancel FMNP checks by rubber stamping or punching holes in them. Store your FMNP checks in a secure location until you deposit them. Be sure to deposit them by November 30, 2021.
Civil Rights
WIC Farmers must abide by both the federal and state non-discrimination laws. The USDA FNS Non-Discrimination Statement reads:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Maine Department of Health and Human Services Non Discrimination Notice:
The Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, religious or political belief, ancestry, familial or marital status, genetic information, association, previous assertion of a claim or right, or whistleblower activity, in admission or access to, or the operation of its policies, programs, services, or activities, or in hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by and in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”); Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act; the Maine Human Rights Act; Executive Order Regarding State of Maine Contracts for Services; and all other laws and regulations prohibiting such discrimination. Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the ADA and hiring or employment practices may be forwarded to the DHHS ADA/EEO Coordinators at 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011; 207-287-4289 (V); 207-287-1871(V); or Maine Relay 711 (TTY). Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the ADA and programs, services, or activities may be forwarded to the DHHS ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator, at 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011; 207-287-5014 (V); Maine Relay 711 (TTY); or ADA CivilRights.DHHS@maine.gov. Civil rights complaints may also be filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights, by phone at 800-368-1019 or 800-537-7697 (TDD); by mail to 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 509, HHS Building, Washington, D.C. 20201; or electronically at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf. Individuals who need auxiliary aids for effective communication in program and services of DHHS are invited to make their needs and preferences known to the ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator. This notice is available in alternate formats, upon request. https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/documents/Nondiscrimination_Notice_June%202017.pdf
Maine WIC Nutrition Program Department of Health & Human Services Center for Disease Control & Prevention 286 Water Street Augusta, ME 04330 287-3991 1-800-437-9300 TTY: Maine Relay 711 website: www.Maine.gov/WIC
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