Header

Main Content

Article

Farmers' Markets/Stands Information

Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs

Indiana Department of Health administers the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). While separately regulated, because of similarity between the two, Indiana chooses to administer them under a single, consolidated state plan of operation.

The programs goals are to provide participants with fresh, locally grown, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and edible herbs and to expand the awareness, use of, and sales at farmers’ markets. Produce may be purchased only from WIC-approved farmers at WIC-approved selling locations.

Applicants must live within a participating service area of the local agency and have gross household income of not more than 185% of current federal poverty income guidelines.

Applicants to SFMNP must be at least 60 years old (or at least 55 years old AND living in housing that is primarily elderly-occupied AND where congregate nutrition services are provided).

Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis.

Markets, Growers, and Farm Stands

 

Authorization of growers, markets, and stands is valid for three seasons.

Growers

 

To apply, a grower must:

  • Grow at least 51% of produce they sell during the season.
  • Live in Indiana or in a bordering county of a neighboring state.

Markets

 

To apply, a market must have:

  • A Market Master or representative who is responsible for managing the market and communicating with the state agency.
  •  A minimum of 3 produce growers currently WIC-approved or willing to become WIC-approved.
  • Defined days and hours of operation at a permanent location.
  • Been in existence a minimum of two market seasons.

Farm / Roadside Stands

 

Approval of a farm stand or roadside stand as an approved selling location may be made on the grower’s application. All approved stands must be attended on all days and hours of operation as listed on the grower’s application. To apply, download the appropriate application packet and the S/FMNP Manual below.

 

Farmer / Market Forms

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

 

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is a federally funded program that was established by Congress in 1992. It is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, popularly known as WIC.

United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) awards grants to states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. Congress appropriates funding annually for administration of the FMNP. Federal funds support 100 percent of food costs and 70 percent of administrative costs of the program.

FMNP serves pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women. infants more than 4 months old, and children 1 to 5 years old.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

 

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is designed to provided low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, and edible herbs; increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities through farmers’ markets and roadside stands; and aid in the development of new and additional farmers’ markets and roadside stands.

United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) awards grants to states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. The Farm Bill provides federal funding for the program. 90 percent of federal funds support food costs and 10 percent of federal funds support administrative costs of the program.

Resources

 

Nondiscrimination