Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

WIC Participants

WIC Staff

 

Mobile Markets

SNAP (EBT) at Farmers Markets

Growers, Markets and Farm Stores

 

About WIC FMNP

WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) is part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for lower income Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The WIC Program provides healthy foods, nutrition education, and referrals to health and other social services.

Program Goals

  • Provide fresh, healthy, unprocessed, locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs to WIC families and low-income seniors.
  • Expand the awareness and sales at farmers markets and farm stores.

FMNP Brochure

WIC and Senior - Farmers Market Brochure (PDF)

SNAP (EBT) in Farmers Markets

Like WIC FMNP and Senior FMNP, SNAP (formerly “Food Stamps”) allows low-income families to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets. Washington State farmers markets that want to offer SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) can find further information at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/farmer-producer.

Contact us

FMNPTeam@doh.wa.gov
1-800-841-1410 extension 2, select 2.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), administers the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). If you want to learn more about the program, visit the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program website.

Interested participants must apply to receive benefits each year with their local program. See this list of local program contacts.

For additional information contact the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program State Office:

Cameron Akita
State Unit on Aging, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration
P.O. Box 45600
Olympia, WA 98504-5600
Phone: 360-725-2466; toll-free 1-800-422-3263
E-mail: cameron.akita@dshs.wa.gov

FMNP Mission Statement

The Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (WIC and Senior FMNP) champion the role of farmers markets as vital community hubs in Washington State. We do this by fostering access to fresh, nutritious, unprepared foods for qualified participants and expanding the awareness, use of and sales at farmers' markets. We strive to enhance the health of our communities, strengthen the local economy, and preserve the rich agricultural heritage of Washington, ensuring that more participants have access to the bounty of our state's farms.

Mobile Markets

Requirements

  • Be a non-profit organization, and have a mobile market manager or designated representative on-site during operating hours.
  • Have the ability to accept e-FMNP transactions at the point of sale.
  • Have been in operation for at least one year.
  • Be located within 30 miles of the local WIC agency.
  • Have at least five local growers, which grow at least a portion of what they sell in Washington, participating in the mobile market each season under a contract period.
  • Must maintain a current list of growers participating in the mobile market.
  • Have an established route with a unique address for each stop provided to the department before the start of the season. The stops must be at least 0.25 miles away from an authorized farmers market.
  • Comply with training sessions and monitor visits.
  • Submit upon request, sales information, including gross sales and tax exempt food sales.
  • Be current with state, federal, and local taxes.
  • Comply with all terms and conditions specified in the contract.
  • Notify the Department immediately of changes to the list of local grower selling at the mobile market.
  • Notify the department of changes to the established mobile market route within at least five business days of the new route taking effect.
  • Keep a current list of growers, including the growers' names and business addresses.

Resources

How to Apply

  1. Read the Mobile Market Agreement.
  2. Sign and submit a complete application via email to FMNPTeam@doh.wa.gov (preferred) as a scanned or photographed image or by mail at:

    Washington State Department of Health
    WIC and Senior FMNP Coordinator
    PO Box 47886
    Olympia, WA 98504-7886
  3. Once the state office processes the application, the Mobile Market will receive instructions about the next steps to receive payment with additional documentation.

If you have questions or need to request a printed copy of the application and agreement, please contact: FMNPTeam@doh.wa.gov or call 1-800-841-1410 extension 2, select 2.

Important Dates

Date Deadline
December 2024 Growers and farm stores applications open
April 1 Application to all returning growers and farm stores
June 1 FMNP season starts
July 1 Application for new mobile markets for the 2026 season
September 30 Last day WIC clinics issue FMNP Benefits to WIC participants
October 31 FMNP season ends
Year-round WIC participants can redeem their monthly fruit and vegetable benefits (CVB)

Review additional information about available support and FMNP materials.