FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM

at WIC CLINICS

Helping Families Eat Healthy Foods

A New Approach

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and Tarrant Area Food Bank teamed up in 2012 to encourage low-income and impoverished mothers and their young children to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), administered by the state agricultural department and coordinated by the food bank, brings fresh produce from local farmers to recipients of public nutrition benefits.

Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) at Tarrant County WIC Clinics

In Tarrant County, the FMNP is a seasonal program designed to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to eligible participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The FMNP returns this summer with an expanded list of distribution sites and dates.

To participate in this spring/summer program, clients must live in Tarrant County and must be currently receiving WIC benefits. Beginning in May, WIC recipients may go to Tarrant County WIC Clinics to sign up for FMNP. Distribution of vouchers and food will take place in June, July, August and September of 2013.

The FMNP brochure (download here) provides this summer's schedule and additional information in English and Spanish.

Volunteer Distribution Assistants are needed for this program (download description). If interested, please contact our Resource Coordinator (contact information below).

Last summer, during the first year of operation, the program provided more than 3,000 women and children with fresh produce from local farmers. The Downtown Farmers Market Association brought its fresh fruits and vegetables to three Tarrant County WIC clinics. Volunteers gave the WIC clients books of coupons (vouchers) supplied by the TDA, after which participants were able to select their produce.

Contacts

• For more information, email Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

• To volunteer with the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (available May through September), please contact:

Robyn Morgan

Resource Coordinator, Programs

817-332-9177, ext. 151

Email