WIC FMNP & SFMNP Newsletter - February

Washington State Department of Health sent this bulletin at 02/02/2024 12:14 PM PST

WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Monthly Newsletter

February 2024

Welcome to Washington State’s Farmers Market Monthly Newsletter. You’re receiving this because you are associated with markets, growers, clinics, or other involved parties who serve WIC and Senior participants.

Growers Approved in 2023 & New Growers for the 2024 Season

If you were an approved grower who accepted transactions during the 2023 FMNP season, you do NOT need to reapply for the 2024 season. Your current grower agreement will expire on December 31, 2024.

If you are a NEW grower or were not approved in 2023 to accept benefits, please apply using the grower application found here. Applications are due April 1, 2024.

Top Sellers of 2023!

We are thrilled to inform you about the potential benefits of participating in the WIC and SFMNP programs. Some vendors have already taken advantage of the three different types of benefits available to them, as shown in the Table.

For the first time ever, growers had access to a new type of benefit throughout the year- the Monthly Fruit and Vegetable Benefits (CVB) from WIC Participants in 2023. That will continue.

Market Applications Due May 1

Markets must reapply for the 2024 season. We have already received 49% of the market applications.

All markets that wish to participate in FMNP must submit a new market application by May 1, 2024.

For more information visit: “Information for Growers, Markets and Farm Stores”.

Upcoming Trainings

The new season of FMNP is fast approaching and it's time to prepare!

Washington Farmers Market Conference - February 23rd & 24th

Our first training will be held during the WSFMA conference in Leavenworth, WA on February 23-24, 2024. Info about the conference can be found here.

Market Manager Mandatory Training - March 21st

Offered through the WSFMA Food Access Forum on March 21, from 12:00pm –1:00pm. Visit Farmers Market Food Access Forums - Washington Farmers Market (wafarmersmarkets.org) for more information.

2024 WSFMA Boot Camp- March 19th & 26th

Virtual training for Market Managers & Board Members will be held virtually on two Tuesdays, March 19 & 26, 2024 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm (Pacific Time). Visit 2024 Farmers Market Boot Camp - Washington Farmers Market (wafarmersmarkets.org) to register.

Monthly Grower Webinar Trainings - March 28th, April 25th, & May 23rd

Virtual training for growers will be available in English and Spanish to prepare for the season and will cover a different topic each meeting. Please plan on attending each training, which begin at 1:00pm via MSTeams by clicking 'Join conversation (microsoft.com)' for each session.

In-person training dates and locations will be announced soon. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at FMNPTeam@doh.wa.gov.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Fast Facts

Washington residents age 60 or older and Native Americans/Alaska Natives age 55 or older, with a monthly income below 185% of the federal poverty level ($2,322/month for 2024) are eligible for SFMNP benefits.
Interested individuals may apply through their local area agency on aging (AAA) or contracted senior nutrition program—more information can be found by clicking here.
Participant application windows vary by location, but generally open in April or May each year.
In 2023, over 65% of all benefits issued to SFMNP participants were used to purchase from participating growers. With more than 34,000 participants across the state, that totaled $1.81M in SFMNP benefits redeemed with local growers.

Contact us at FMNPTeam@doh.wa.gov