Contact: Northeast Regional Office – Public Affairs sm.fn.ne-pa@usda.gov 617-565-6412 FNS Press, fnspress@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2022 – USDA Food and Nutrition Service today awarded Maine a grant as part of the first round of 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 the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WIC Nutrition Program. 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 Maine DHHS CDC WIC will receive more than $32,000 to modify its existing cash value benefit platform to include eFMNP capability and implement changes in its SPIRIT MIS system to meet the primary goal of the grant opportunity - to provide funding to implement an available and tested electronic, mobile WIC FMNP solution.

“USDA commends Maine for modernizing its WIC program to enable participants easy access to fresh produce and to support the livelihood of local farmers,” said Lizbeth Silbermann, Northeast Regional Administrator for USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. “This mobile capability is another example of Maine WIC meeting families where they are.”

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.

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.

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, DC, July 14, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared Aug. 2 through 8, 2015, as "National Farmers Market Week." The declaration was made official by proclamation signed by Secretary Vilsack. This year marks the 16th annual National Farmers Market Week in honor of the important role that farmers markets play in local economies. Throughout the week, USDA will celebrate thousands of our nation's farmers markets, the farmers and ranchers who make them possible and the communities that host them.

"National Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity for farmers markets across the country to host special events to showcase all the tremendous services they provide," said Secretary Vilsack. "Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support farmers and help grow rural economies. They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms and providing Americans with fresh, healthy food."

Throughout the week, USDA officials will celebrate at farmers market locations across the country. On Aug. 1, Anne Alonzo, the Administrator of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) – which conducts research, provides technical assistance, and awards grants to support farmers markets – will kick off the week at the Santa Fe Farmers Market in New Mexico. The Santa Fe Farmers Market is the oldest in New Mexico and is ranked as one of the top ten farmers markets nationwide.

Farmers markets provide consumers with fresh, affordable, convenient, and healthy products from local producers. With support from USDA, more farmers markets offer customers the opportunity to make purchases with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program; and the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs.

Supporting farmers markets is a part of the USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified strengthening local food systems as one of the Four Pillars of Agriculture and Rural Economic Development.

Washington, DC, September 11, 2015 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the release of a new report that shows that USDA's Farm to School Grant Program, established and funded through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, has helped 12,300 schools improve nutritious meal options made with local ingredients for 6.9 million students, while expanding market opportunities for family farmers and ranchers in their communities. Recent studies published in Childhood Obesity and Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior indicate that strong farm to school programs can impact consumption of fruits and vegetables, leading to reductions in plate waste.

"Farm to school partnerships have a proven track record of encouraging kids to eat more healthy foods and creating new market opportunities for the farmers that grow them," said Vilsack. "Congress should act quickly to reauthorize the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to build on the success of farm to school and the healthier school meals and continue our momentum towards a healthier next generation of Americans."

Through its Farm to School Grant Program, USDA has awarded 221 grants in 49 States, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands over the past three years. Fifty percent of funded projects included expanding healthy menu options offered in the cafeteria; 46 percent included training for food service staff about menu planning, meal preparation, and cooking with local and regional foods; and 65 percent included nutrition education activities. Forty percent of farm to school grants were awarded to rural schools or districts, and 38 percent of grants were distributed in StrikeForce states and territories to address challenges associated with rural poverty.

Nationwide, more than 40,300 schools have farm to school programs that impact 23.5 million children. According to USDA's first-ever Farm to School Census, released in 2014, school districts participating in farm to school programs purchased and served over $385 million in local food in school year 2011-2012, with more than half of participating schools planning to increase their purchases of local food in the future. Later this fall, USDA will release updated Farm to School Census data.

Under the new standards, children are now eating healthier meals at schools. Farm to school programs are one of many tools and resources USDA offers to help schools successfully serve healthier meals. For example, USDA recently launched an initiative called Team Up for School Nutrition Success that allows the schools that still face challenges to pair up and learn best practices from schools that are already successfully serving healthier meals. The program has provided training for more than 3,500 individuals and has been enthusiastically received by schools and school officials.

For the past three years, kids have eaten healthier breakfasts, lunches and snacks at school thanks to the bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which made the first meaningful improvements to the nutrition of foods and beverages served in cafeterias and sold in vending machines at schools in 30 years. Over 95 percent of schools report that they are successfully meeting the updated nutrition standards, and a recent poll shows that more than eight in ten Americans support the healthier school meals.

Factsheet: Schools Serving, Kids Eating Healthier School Meals Thanks to Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

Washington, DC, May 9, 2012 — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced awards to help states expand availability of wireless technology in farmers' markets not currently participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The $4 million in funding provides SNAP participants greater access to fresh and healthy food, while supporting American farmers and local economies.

"Our country's 7,100 operating farmers markets offer opportunities to our children and their families to access healthy food across the country," said Deputy Secretary Merrigan. "SNAP participation at farmers' markets helps provide fresh fruit and vegetables to families and expands the customer base for local farmers - a win-win for agriculture and local communities."

In the past, farmers' markets, which usually do not have access to phone lines or electricity, have had difficulty redeeming SNAP benefits through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system. As a result of funding provided by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012, States may provide wireless equipment to currently non-participating farmers' markets, opening the door for their participation in the Program.

"This funding will help SNAP customers increase their opportunities to access healthy, local foods," added Deputy Secretary Merrigan. "And evidence suggests they will take advantage of that access. When we couple this approach with strategies like the education, cooking demonstrations, and community support often found at farmers markets, consumption of healthy foods should rise even more."

There are currently over 1,500 farmers markets using EBT technology. Since 2008, SNAP expenditures at farmers markets have risen by 400 percent.

In addition to the these federal funds being provided now to state agencies, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will soon post a Federal Register notice that will solicit public input on how best to use such funds in the future. As of the end of the last fiscal quarter, there were 1,548 farmers' markets participating in SNAP. USDA is looking to expand the number of participating farmers' markets and increase annual SNAP redemptions at these locations.

FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.

USDA National Farmers Market Directory lists farmers markets that accept SNAP and these other federal nutrition programs. With over 2 million page views last year, the directory is an easy-to-use tool that allows users to search for markets based on location, available products, and types of payment accepted—including participation in Federal nutrition programs. Newer features allow directory users to locate markets based on proximity to zip code and to see links to active farmers market websites. The USDA Farmers Market Directory is based on self-reported information provided by the market managers.

Washington, DC, Sept. 9, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced more than $500,000 in grants to academic and nonprofit organizations who will work to make farmers markets and farm stands more accessible to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants. Farmers markets offer fresh fruits and vegetables to SNAP participants and support local rural economies. Since 2008, the number of SNAP-authorized farmers markets and direct marketing farmers has grown dramatically, to more than 7,000 – over nine times the number that were around at the start of this Administration. In fiscal year 2015 alone, SNAP redemptions accounted for over $19 million at farmers markets.

“Farmers markets and direct marketing farmers play a vital role in ensuring that all Americans have access to fresh farm produce that is so important to a healthy diet,” said Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumers Services. “They are a key part of our efforts to improve the diet and health of those participating in the nation’s nutrition assistance programs. They also help support local and regional food systems.”

In a recent USDA study, almost 80 percent of farmers market shoppers mentioned access to high-quality fruits and vegetables as the reason for shopping at a farmers market. The grants announced today will support broad SNAP-related activities and costs, including staff training and technical assistance, creating educational materials, and raising awareness among current SNAP participants that their benefits may be used to purchase fresh local foods. The awardees are:

• University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) -- $248,443
  The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center will work with five farmers markets in the Oklahoma City area on a social media and mass transit campaign directed towards current SNAP participants in order to increase SNAP redemptions at farmers markets.
• Upper Ocmulgee River RC&D Council, Inc. (Lawrenceville, Georgia) -- $241,571
  The Upper Ocmulgee River RC&D Council will train up to 40 farmers markets staffs throughout Georgia on how to best operate the SNAP program and provide solutions to common barriers of SNAP at farmers markets, such as transportation and price.
• Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden (New Bern, North Carolina) -- $42,000
  This grant will provide educational training in SNAP policies and procedures which aims to assist about 50 veteran farmers and to increase the effectiveness of veteran farmers’ participation in SNAP.

Today’s grants are the latest step in USDA’s continuing efforts to expand access to farmers markets and farm stands for SNAP participants. In 2015, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service awarded $8.15 million in competitive funds through the Farmers Market Support Grants program to support SNAP operations at farmers markets. For more information about SNAP and farmers markets please visit, http://www.fns.usda.gov/ebt/snap-and-farmers-markets.

The Farmers Market Support Grants is only one of many changes made in the last several years to strengthen SNAP and increase access to healthy foods for participants. USDA has provided funding to incentivize participants in SNAP to purchase more healthy fruits and vegetables through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program, started a pilot that allows food purchasing and delivery services to accept SNAP benefits as payment for homebound elderly and disabled participants, and proposed updated SNAP retailer standards to include different varieties of healthy qualifying foods.

Supporting farmers markets is a part of the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2) Initiative, which coordinates the department's work to develop strong local and regional food systems. Over the course of the Obama Administration, USDA has invested close to $1 billion in 40,000 local food-related projects on farms and in communities across the country. You can find local and regional supply chain resources on the newly-revamped KYF2 website and use the KYF2 Compass to locate USDA investments in your community. More information on how USDA investments are connecting producers with consumers, expanding rural economic opportunities, and increasing access to healthy food is available in Chapter IV of USDA Results on Medium.

FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, these programs include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, the National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net.