Programs, Services, and Grant Opportunities
Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP)
FMNP serves participants of Women, Infant, and
Children (WIC) and seniors over the age of 60 and meet income
eligibility guidelines by providing checks to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables,
cut herbs and honey at authorized locations throughout Connecticut.
WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
(FMNP)
WIC FMNP is a congressionally authorized program administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAG) and jointly funded by the State of Connecticut and the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS).
The program provides a $15 check booklet consisting of five (5) $3 checks to participants of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) who are identified as “nutritionally at risk,” to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs at FMNP authorized locations. WIC FMNP check booklets are distributed to 23 local WIC agencies statewide by the agency through a partnership with the Connecticut Department of Public Health. CT DoAg cannot send FMNP checks to individuals.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
The SFMNP is a supplemental food program for individuals over the age of 60 or those who are disabled living in housing where congregate nutrition services are provided and meet income eligibility. Participants must be enrolled in another program with proper means testing (ex: Renter Rebate) to verify income. Each eligible participant receives one (1) $18 check booklet annually containing six (6) three dollar ($3) checks. SFMNP checks can be redeemed at FMNP authorized locations throughout Connecticut for fruits, vegetables, fresh cut herbs, and honey.
SFMNP check booklets are issued by the agency to
municipal agents, elderly services nonprofits, or senior centers for
distribution to eligible participants. Please take a look at the 2019 Distribution Sites to find a location (also available as a PDF). CT DoAg cannot send SFMNP checks
to individuals.
FMNP Authorized Locations
Connecticut's Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP) WIC and senior checks are redeemable only at FMNP authorized locations which include most Certified Connecticut Grown farmers’ markets and select farm stands (also available as a PDF). If a Certified Connecticut Grown farmers’ market is interested in becoming an FMNP authorized location, please contact Jaime Smith, Jaime.Smith@ct.gov, for more information.
Farmers growing fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey and sell at a Certified Connecticut Grown farmers’ market are individually certified by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to accept the checks as payment for fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey. Certified farmers can deposit the FMNP checks at any financial institution.
To accept FMNP WIC and senior checks, Connecticut fruit, vegetable, cut herb and honey farmers must become certified to sell at a FMNP authorized farmers' market. Certification includes:
- being accepted into a Certified Connecticut Grown farmers' market
- submitting a crop plan (below) to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture
- having the production area verified through a certification visit
- signing a letter of agreement with the agency
Contact Jaime Smith, Jaime.Smith@ct.gov, to schedule a certification visit. Farmers must be accepted into at least one authorized FMNP farmers' market prior to being certified.
Word Docs: 2020 Crop Plan 2020 Specialty Crop Plan
.pdf Docs: 2020 Crop Plan 2020 Specialty Crop Plan
For more information on Connecticut farmers’ markets and other supplemental food programs offered through farmers’ markets, please see the CT Farmers’ Market Reference Guide or call the CT Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Development Unit at 860-713-2503.