The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (PL 117-2, ARPA) provided the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with $390 million, available through FY 2024, to carry out outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts to increase participation and redemption of benefits for both the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).

As part of the FMNP innovation and modernization efforts under ARPA, FNS will provide funds through non-competitive grants to FMNP state agencies, including Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and territories, to complete projects aimed at modernizing benefit delivery via procurement of web-based mobile benefit delivery software. This transition to electronic transaction technology in FMNP is important so WIC families can keep using benefits to purchase fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables and farmers can participate using similar payment technology that they use with other customers. The primary goals of these funded projects must be to: (1) modernize benefit delivery for FMNP state agencies, participants, farmers and farmers’ markets; and (2) increase benefit utilization at farmers and farmers’ markets.

How to Apply

To apply for a FY 2023-24 FMNP e-solution Grant, interested state agencies or multi-state agency collaborations (with one state agency identified as the lead) must submit their application via email to their respective FNS regional office Grants management administrative services (GMAS) point of contact with cc: to the relevant regional office program staff listed below. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. ET by the deadlines outlined in the table below. Late applications will not be considered.

For more information refer to the Notice of Funding Availability.

WASHINGTON, September 23, 2022 – USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) today awarded the Connecticut Department of Agriculture a $250,000 grant as part of the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants. This investment will help improve equitable access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC.

Grants are being awarded to Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, District of Columbia Department of Health, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Rhode Island Department of Health, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, The Chickasaw Nation, and West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Each will use grant funds to purchase mobile-friendly software or web-based services that streamline benefit delivery for participants, farmers and WIC FMNP state agencies and can help increase the use of benefits at farmers’ markets.

“Supply chain issues have affected families around the country, but fortunately, shopping at your local farmers’ market is one way to ensure immediate access to fresh produce,” said USDA FNS Administrator Cindy Long. “These mobile-friendly solutions make it easier for eligible WIC participants to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to help provide the healthiest start for their families.”

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DOAG) will transition from the distribution of WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) paper benefits to a mobile closed loop, EBT payment solution. CT DOAG will contract with SoliSYSTEMS, to implement its e-solution that will not only make the distribution of benefits more efficient and streamlined, but over the two years of the proposed transition, shall enable increased redemption and use of WIC FMNP benefits. Participants can use the SoliMarket Shopper, a mobile app WIC participants can download and utilize as their mobile wallet to manage e-benefits and purchase eligible food items from participating farmers; or the SoliMarket Shopper Card, a physical card and the alternative for WIC participants who prefer or need an option other than a smart phone application.

“USDA commends Connecticut for modernizing the benefit delivery of the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program,” said Christine Ruggieri, Acting Regional Administrator for USDA FNS. “This is an example of program modernization efforts to increase access and redemption of benefits in a way that meets people where they are, while supporting the livelihood of local farmers.”

The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides eligible participants coupons to buy fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from local farmers, farmers’ markets or roadside stands that have been approved by their state agency to accept FMNP benefits.

These grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are part of a larger group of ARPA initiatives to modernize the WIC and Farmers Market Nutrition programs. The grants demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to improve nutrition security for all Americans, especially historically underserved populations.

USDA is aware of the continuing infant formula shortage and is working tirelessly to address any impacts on WIC participants. Information about the USDA response can be found here Infant Formula Safety | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov).

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.

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WASHINGTON, September 23, 2022 – USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) today awarded the Rhode Island Department of Health a $80,826 grant as part of the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants. This investment will help improve equitable access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC.

Grants are being awarded to Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, District of Columbia Department of Health, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Rhode Island Department of Health, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, The Chickasaw Nation, and West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Each will use grant funds to purchase mobile-friendly software or web-based services that streamline benefit delivery for participants, farmers and WIC FMNP state agencies and can help increase the use of benefits at farmers’ markets.

“Supply chain issues have affected families around the country, but fortunately, shopping at your local farmers’ market is one way to ensure immediate access to fresh produce,” said USDA FNS Administrator Cindy Long. “These mobile-friendly solutions make it easier for eligible WIC participants to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to help provide the healthiest start for their families.”

“FNS commends Rhode Island for modernizing the benefit delivery of the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program,” said Christine Ruggieri, Acting Regional Administrator for USDA FNS. “This is an example of program modernization efforts to increase access and redemption of benefits in a way that meets people where they are, while supporting the livelihood of local farmers.”

The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides eligible participants coupons to buy fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from local farmers, farmers’ markets or roadside stands that have been approved by their state agency to accept FMNP benefits.

These grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are part of a larger group of ARPA initiatives to modernize the WIC and Farmers Market Nutrition programs. The grants demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to improve nutrition security for all Americans, especially historically underserved populations.

USDA is aware of the continuing infant formula shortage and is working tirelessly to address any impacts on WIC participants. Information about the USDA response can be found here Infant Formula Safety | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov).

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

DALLAS, September 23, 2022 – USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) today awarded a grant of $221,007 to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as part of the third round of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants. This investment will help improve equitable access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC.

Today’s FNS grant will help the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma purchase mobile-friendly software or web-based services that streamline benefit delivery for participants, farmers and WIC FMNP state agencies and can help increase the use of benefits at farmers’ markets.

“Supply chain issues have affected families around the country, but fortunately, shopping at your local farmers’ market is one way to ensure immediate access to fresh produce,” said USDA FNS Administrator Cindy Long. “These mobile-friendly solutions make it easier for eligible WIC participants to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to help provide the healthiest start for their families.”

The Choctaw Nation’s FMNP, in partnership with the Chickasaw Nation’s Custom Data Processing’s Farm Market Direct e-solution and a health and human services technology company, will use the grant to develop a smartphone app to redeem FMNP benefits using a QR code.

“Partnering with local Tribal communities ensures everyone has access to nutritious, cost-effective foods, while supporting local farmers,” said FNS Southwest Regional Administrator Bill Ludwig. “Improving technology available at farmers’ markets makes a few things easier – FNS can better serve the Native American families in our region, families can buy the foods they need, and neighborhood vendors can reach even more customers.”

The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides eligible participants coupons to buy fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from local farmers, farmers’ markets or roadside stands that have been approved by their state agency to accept FMNP benefits.

These grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are part of a larger group of ARPA initiatives to modernize the WIC and Farmers Market Nutrition programs. The grants demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to improve nutrition security for all Americans, especially historically underserved populations. A second round of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants is expected later this year. A second round of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants is expected later this year.

USDA is aware of the continuing infant formula shortage and is working tirelessly to address any impacts on WIC participants. Information about the USDA response can be found here Infant Formula Safety | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov).

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

DALLAS, September 23, 2022 – USDA Food and Nutrition Service today awarded Louisiana a $250,000 grant as part of the third round of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants. This investment will help improve equitable access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC.

A grant is being awarded to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The grant funds will be used to purchase mobile-friendly software or web-based services that streamline benefit delivery for participants, farmers and WIC FMNP state agencies and can help increase the use of benefits at farmers’ markets.

“Supply chain issues have affected families around the country, but fortunately, shopping at your local farmers’ market is one way to ensure immediate access to fresh produce,” said FNS Administrator Cindy Long. “These mobile-friendly solutions make it easier for eligible WIC participants to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to help provide the healthiest start for their families.”

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will use the award for a closed-loop Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) payment solution. This will replace the use of paper cash value vouchers for the distribution of WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefits. Participants will use the SoliMarket Shopper Card that features a QR code and human readable card number to initiate purchases from approved farmers using the SoliMarket Register app.

“Partnering with local communities ensures everyone has access to nutritious, cost-effective foods, while supporting local farmers,” said FNS Southwest Regional Administrator Bill Ludwig. “Improving technology available at farmers’ markets makes a few things easier – FNS can better serve the region, families can buy the foods they need, and neighborhood vendors can reach even more customers.”

The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides eligible participants coupons to buy fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from local farmers, farmers’ markets or roadside stands that have been approved by their state agency to accept FMNP benefits.

These grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are part of a larger group of ARPA initiatives to modernize the WIC and Farmers Market Nutrition programs. The grants demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to improve nutrition security for all Americans, especially historically underserved populations. A second round of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants is expected later this year. A second round of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants is expected later this year.

USDA is aware of the continuing infant formula shortage and is working tirelessly to address any impacts on WIC participants. Information about the USDA response can be found here Infant Formula Safety | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov).

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

By Cindy Long, FNS Administrator

In early August, Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean and I travelled to San Francisco for meetings and events related to the work the USDA Food and Nutrition Service does to support local communities. On August 3, we spent the day visiting programs around the Bay Area that have an impact on addressing hunger.

Our first stop was Davis Park in San Pablo, which is one site where the West Costa Contra Unified School District (WCCUSD) provides summer meals. There we saw children of all ages playing, but more importantly, enjoying a fresh, locally sourced, and scratch-cooked meal. WCCUSD feeds 250 children a day at this one location and after seeing the meals they served, we could see why. It looked, and smelled, delicious!

At the summer meal site, we also observed the importance of partnerships and collaboration to make a difference in addressing childhood hunger. The WCCUSD partners with the city, the county, the state, the federal government, local farmers, non-profits, parents, and volunteers to provide healthy and delicious meals, and increase nutrition awareness. On this day at the summer meals site, for instance, a local farmer was on hand offering samples of stone fruit for the children to taste test. A local non-profit, Conscious Kitchen, was also there with a variety of raspberries to sample and give-away packages of other fresh fruit for the families to take home to enjoy later. It was a perfect example of how all these organizations working together with a common goal can make a big impact in local communities.

We were also delighted to see the WCCUSD’s mobile kitchen, Fresh Wheels, which was purchased with USDA grant funding. The bright yellow food truck adorned with colorful paintings of fruits and vegetables allows the district to provide summer meals in low-income remote areas where families may not otherwise have access.

Next, we met with the leadership at the Alameda County Community Food Bank and heard about the incredible work they are doing to feed people in their community. We were also able to see their warehouse expansion, which will strengthen their ability to serve their community.

We wrapped up the day at the Heart of the City Farmers Market in San Francisco. This farmers market redeems more nutrition assistance benefits than any other in the nation. That’s over $3 million a year in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and grant-funded incentives to help low-income families increase their purchasing power of fruits and vegetables from local farmers.

Engaging with the partners that administer FNS programs and make them a success, as well as children and families that participate in these programs, is so rewarding. It’s a great reminder of why we do what we do here at FNS: to ensure that everyone can access safe, healthy, and nutritious food.

DOVER, Del., August 1, 2022 – USDA's Food and Nutrition Service today announced the award of the first round of Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants to the state of Delaware. The grant will help the state improve equitable access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC.

Delaware's Division of Public Health will receive a $248,934 grant to purchase mobile-friendly software services that streamline benefit delivery for participants, farmers and WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) state agencies and can help increase the use of benefits at farmers' markets. The system will enable farmers to sell their goods to WIC FMNP shoppers without the need for traditional paper checks and comes with a web application to manage sales the same way they do for any other credit and debit card transactions.

“USDA applauds Delaware for finding solutions to modernize its WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program,” said FNS Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, Dr. Patty Bennett. “Eliminating paper checks and vouchers, approving transactions at time of sale, and other modern functions make program management simple and convenient, a win-win for farmers and participants.”

The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides eligible participants coupons to buy fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from local farmers, farmers' markets or roadside stands that have been approved by their state agency to accept FMNP benefits.

“Supply chain issues have affected families around the country, but fortunately shopping at your local farmers' market is one way to ensure immediate access to fresh produce,” said FNS Administrator Cindy Long. “These mobile-friendly solutions make it easier for eligible WIC participants to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to help provide the healthiest start for their families.”

These grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are part of a larger group of ARPA initiatives to modernize the WIC and Farmers' Market Nutrition programs. The grants demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to improve nutrition security for all Americans, especially historically underserved populations. A second round of Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants is expected later this year.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.