Resource type
Technical Assistance & Guidance
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Overview
The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides a seasonal benefit to WIC participants to use at farmers’ markets, or with farmers, to purchase fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables. The program has always used paper coupons, but with the banking industry and other benefit programs shifting to e-solutions for transactions, this program has an urgent need to modernize in order to continue operating. eSolutions reduce administrative burden for program staff, market managers, farmers, and participants. In FY 22 and FY 23, FNS awarded over $7.4 million in grants to 32 state agencies to support WIC FMNP eSolutions.
Grantee Summaries
| Agency | Award Amount | Project Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $247,670 | Alaska will transition from paper checks to a cardless eSolution by June 1, 2024. Alaska is currently in the process of securing a vendor. |
| Arkansas | $150,600 | Arkansas is working with Gainwell and implementing an eSolution that includes printed QR codes for participants, an app for farmers to facilitate transactions, and an FMNP portal for tracking expenditures and providing data on specific produce purchased with FMNP funds. |
| Cherokee Nation | $350,000 | Cherokee Nation is working with SoliMarket on their FMNP eSolution. Cherokee Nation is working closely with New Mexico on this project, as they share a Management Information System. |
| The Chickasaw Nation | $249,710 | The Chickasaw Nation will enter into a contract with Custom Data Processing to implement FarmMarket Direct eSolution. This mobile system replaces paper vouchers with a QR code which can be printed onto a sticker and placed on a WIC EBT card that links to monthly FMNP benefits in the participant’s account. |
| Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma | $221,007 | Choctaw Nation will develop a smartphone app so participants can redeem FMNP benefits using a QR code. This project will be carried out in partnership with Chickasaw Nation and Custom Data Processing’s Farm Market Direct eSolution contractor, as well as Gainwell. |
| Colorado | $350,000 | Colorado will use grant funds to support the transition to an eSolution. Funding will help to determine which eSolution is best, as well as support implementation, training, and technical assistance. |
| Connecticut | $250,000 | Connecticut will transition from the distribution of FMNP paper benefits to a mobile closed-loop EBT payment solution. Connecticut will enter into a contract with SoliSYSTEMS for an eSolution that will make the distribution of benefits more efficient and streamlined and will increase the redemption of FMNP benefits. Participants will be able to use either the SoliMarket Shopper, a mobile app WIC participants can download and use as their mobile wallet to manage e-benefits, or the SoliMarket Shopper Card, a physical card alternative for WIC participants who prefer or need an option other than a smart phone application. |
| District of Columbia | $249,628 | The District of Columbia will enter into a contract with Custom Data Processing to implement FarmMarket Direct eSolution. This mobile system replaces paper vouchers with a QR code which can be printed onto a sticker and placed on a WIC EBT card that links to monthly FMNP benefits in the participant’s account. |
| Delaware | $248,934 | Delaware will enter into a contract with SoliSYSTEMS in time for the start of the 2023 farmer season. |
| Georgia | $350,000 | Georgia will transition from paper benefits to an eSolution, which will include electronic benefit issuance to WIC participants; a mobile solution for WIC participants to view and track issued benefits; a mobile solution for farmers to record redemptions and track reimbursements; and the ability to oversee authorized farmer program compliance, FMNP market season management, banking and reconciliation services, fiscal funds management, and programmatic reporting. |
| Indiana | $345,776 | Indiana is working with MarketLink to transition from a paper-based system to an eSolution. Indiana will use grant funds to hire staff to support implementation and to purchase loaner cell phones/tablets for farmers who do not have smart devices. |
| Iowa | $302,369 | Iowa will transition to an eSolution in FY 2024 and anticipates using a paper voucher to accommodate participants without smart phones. Iowa is currently in the process of securing a vendor. |
| Kentucky | $50,591 | Kentucky is working with SoliSYSTEMS to implement SoliMarket, which will move from distributing program benefits from coupons to a closed-loop, EBT solution using a mobile application and/or a card. Kentucky’s goal is to find a solution that meets the needs of both FMNP and SFMNP, which will simplify training and participation for farmers who participate in both programs. |
| Louisiana | $250,000 | Louisiana will replace the use of paper benefits with a closed-loop EBT payment solution from SoliSYSTEMS. 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. |
| Maine | $32,388 | Maine will modify its existing CVB Platform to include eFMNP capability and implement changes in its SPIRIT Management Information System to meet the primary goal of the grant opportunity to provide funding to implement an available and tested electronic, mobile WIC FMNP solution. |
| Maryland | $308,831 | Maryland will replace its current paper-based FMNP coupon benefit issuance and redemption process with an eSolution model. Maryland is currently in the process of securing a vendor. |
| Massachusetts | $349,874 | Massachusetts will use grant funding to explore, pilot, and implement an FMNP eSolution. The feasibility study will evaluate data security; existing programs; impact on local agencies, farmers, and participants; and long-term financial sustainability. Using the results of the study, Massachusetts will select an eSolution to pilot in FY 2024. After concluding the pilot and analyzing results, Massachusetts will develop an implementation plan for FY 2025. |
| Michigan | $350,000 | Michigan will integrate their FMNP system into their WIC Management Information System to continue to leverage technologies developed by the WIC program. The combination of a FMNP administration system and wireless point of sale devices (farmers will use their own smart phone) will provide an end-to-end solution that will resolve problem areas faced by the FMNP administration today. |
| Minnesota | $251,051 | Minnesota will transition to an eSolution in FY 2024 and anticipates using a paper coupon with a QR code for participants. Minnesota is currently in the process of securing a vendor. |
| Montana | $350,000 | Montana will transition to an eSolution in FY 2024 with options to accommodate participants without smart phones. Montana is currently in the planning phase and working to determine which eSolution is right for them. |
| Nevada | $197,763 | Nevada will transition from paper coupons to an eSolution that includes a closed-loop payment system and a mobile application and/or card for users that do not have a smart phone or network capability to use their phone at farmers’ market locations. |
| New Hampshire | $116,065 | New Hampshire will enter into a contract with Farm Market Direct for their eSolution. Participants will purchase fresh produce from the farmer using a QR code that may be accessed from their participant portal or printed as a sticker on their WIC EBT card or on paper. |
| New Jersey | $350,000 | New Jersey will implement an eSolution utilizing QR codes for delivery and redemption of FMNP benefits. Using lessons learned from this growing season, New Jersey will enhance their portal to add features requested by farmers and participants. Additionally, New Jersey will expand their growing season to begin on May 1. New Jersey plans to also include CVB redemption at farmers’ markets in FY 2024. |
| New Mexico | $166,000 | New Mexico will use grant funding to provide hotspots to farmers, markets, and roadside stands and to develop additional marketing strategies, by working with local radio stations and purchasing promotional materials. New Mexico currently utilizes SoliMarket’s eSolution. |
| North Carolina | $206,660 | North Carolina will transition to an eSolution with Farm Market Direct in FY 2024. |
| Ohio | $350,000 | Ohio is conducting a landscape analysis to determine effects of implementing an eSolution. Using the results of the analysis, Ohio will then choose an eSolution and provider. |
| Pennsylvania | $100,403 | Pennsylvania will implement an eSolution from Central Bank of Missouri, which will feature QR codes printed on paper checks. Pennsylvania will use participant data to identify trends in redemption to enhance future program operations. |
| Rhode Island | $80,826 | Rhode Island will enter into a contract with Custom Data Processing to implement FarmMarket Direct eSolution. This mobile system replaces paper vouchers with a QR code which can be printed onto a sticker and placed on a WIC EBT card that links to monthly FMNP benefits in the participant’s account. |
| South Carolina | $39,000 | South Carolina will enter into a contract with SoliSYSTEMS to implement SoliMarket, which will move from distributing program benefits from coupons to a closed-loop, EBT solution using a mobile application and/or a card. |
| Tennessee | $15,000 | Tennessee will implement an eSolution in FY 2024. Tennessee is currently in the process of preparing for procurement. |
| West Virginia | $250,000 | West Virginia will enter into a contract with Custom Data Processing to implement FarmMarket Direct eSolution. This mobile system replaces paper vouchers with a QR code which can be printed onto a sticker and placed on a WIC EBT card that links to monthly FMNP benefits in the participant’s account. |
| Wisconsin | $350,000 | Wisconsin will work with RP Solutions to issue paper checks with a QR code to implement an eSolution over a two-year period. During the first year, Wisconsin will focus on training farmers and providing technical assistance to WIC clinics. During the second year, Wisconsin will fully transition to their eSolution using a mobile application, which will generate a QR code, and focus on participant training. Participants without a phone will be provided a paper QR code. |