FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM
The San Antonio Food Bank is committed to providing nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables to those we serve.
The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) allows qualified participants to buy nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables using FMNP vouchers from participating Farmers’ Market Associations to improve their diets.
The program promotes the routine consumption of healthy and fresh produce from Farmer’s Markets as part of the daily diet of the families and individuals we serve.
FMNP:
- is not a statewide program;
- provides resources to low-income women and children in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and culinary herbs from farmers’ markets; and
- increases the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by helping develop or expand domestic farmers’ markets.
To learn more about FMNP, please visit http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/FarmersMarketNutritionProgram.aspx.
Criteria for FMNP
- Seniors 60+ (income elegibility required)
- General public (Cash, credit and SNAP accepted)
Eligible WIC clients include:
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women
- Postpartum women
- Children aged 1 – 4 years
Participants must live in the SAFB service area (16 Counties)
To learn more about FMNP qualifications, please visit http://www.squaremeals.org/Publications/IncomeEligibilityGuidelines.aspx#FMNP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I spend Cash at markets?
A: Yes all of the Farmers Markets accept cash.
Q: Who qualifies from my list?
A: Pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum mothers qualify for a voucher book and children listed ages 1-5.
Q: Can I also use my SNAP Card?
A: Most of the Farmers Markets will have the SNAP machine
Q: When do my vouchers expire?
A: Voucher expire on October 31st (Halloween)
Q: What happens if my vouchers are lost or stolen?
A: If your vouchers are lost or stolen we are UNABLE to replace them.
Q: Can I send someone to get my vouchers for me?
A: Yes, we understand it might be difficult to get out if you are expecting soon or have a brand new baby, you can send a proxy with your shopping list to receive and spend your vouchers for you.
Q: How many times a year can I get my vouchers?
A: You can receive the vouchers once per year, not monthly.
Q: What can I use my vouchers to buy?
A: Vouchers are good to purchase Fruits and Vegetables from participating Farmers’ Markets. Please reference the allowed and disallowed foods list.Â
Q: What do I need to take to get my vouchers?
A: The only that we need to see is your WIC Shopping list, it is the full size paper your Clinic prints out for you after your visits.
Q: Where Can I spend my vouchers?
A: Please see approved locations below.
FARMERS MARKET LOCATIONS
Nondiscrimination Statement
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 4 — Civil Rights Texas Department of Agriculture – December 2015 Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program 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.
For questions regarding the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, please contact:
Dianne Helinski RD, LD, MHPE
(210) 431-8342
dhelinski@safoodbank.org