(1)
To provide fresh, nutritious unprepared produce (such as fruits
and vegetables) to low-income, at-risk women, infants, and children
from farmers' markets; and (2) to expand the awareness and use of
farmers' markets and increase sales at such markets.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Grants
are made to State health, agriculture and other agencies (or Indian
tribes, bands, or intertribal councils or groups recognized by the
Department of the Interior, or the Indian Health Service of the
Department of Health and Human Services.) Participating State agencies
must provide program income or State, local, or private funds for
the program in an amount that is equal to at least 30 percent of
the total cost of the program except Indian Tribal Organizations
which may receive a negotiated match contribution that is less than
30 percent but not less than 10 percent. The matching requirement
may be satisfied from State contributions that are made for similar
programs. Federal FMNP benefits (coupons) may be issued only to
participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants and Children (WIC) or to persons who are on a waiting list
to receive WIC benefits.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: All State agencies that desire
to receive a FMNP grant must submit, for each fiscal year, a State
plan to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA. States that
received Federal assistance under the Farmers' Market Coupon Demonstration
Project, which was administered by FNS from 1989-1992, were "grandfathered"
into the FMNP by Public Law 102-314. Other States interested in
participating in the FMNP must first submit a State plan to the
appropriate FNS regional office for approval. Approved plans are
then reviewed and evaluated by the National office (Supplemental
Food Programs Division). New State agencies are then selected based
on the evaluation and the availability of funds. Local FMNP sites
are selected by participating State agencies based on concentration
of eligible WIC participants and access to farmers' markets.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: WIC participants (i.e., pregnant,
postpartum or breastfeeding women; infants over 4 months of age;
and children up to 5 years of age) and (at the State's discretion)
those who are on a waiting list to receive WIC benefits are eligible
to receive FMNP coupons. State agencies may also designate subcategories
of WIC participants, e.g., pregnant and breastfeeding women only,
to be FMNP recipients.
Credentials/Documentation:
WIC participants (except infants under 4 months of age) and persons
on WIC waiting lists certified for WIC eligibility who live in
areas with a FMNP are eligible to receive benefits. A signed and
executed Federal/State Agreement is necessary before funds can
be allocated to a participating FMNP State agency. Costs will
be determined in accordance with 7 CFR Part 3016, and FNS guidelines
and instructions.
Pre-application
Coordination: Application is made through submission
of a "State Plan of Program Operation and Administration" as required
by law. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: Farmers or farmers' markets (depending
on whether State agencies have agreements with farmers or markets)
located in communities with WIC Program sites may apply to be
authorized to accept FMNP coupons under the program. The State
agency reviews the applications for completeness and compliance
with authorization requirements. The State agency contacts the
farmer/farmers' market to inform them of qualification. Individual
participants apply for FMNP benefits at approved local WIC agencies.
Award
Procedure: Funds are awarded by the Department
on the basis of funding formulas to State agencies.
Deadlines:
A State plan for the next fiscal year is required by November
15.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: An eligibility
determination will be made within 30 days of submission.
Appeals:
Farmer/farmers' market appeals: The State agency shall provide
a hearing procedure whereby a farmer/farmers' market adversely
affected by a State agency action may appeal the action. The right
of appeal shall be granted when a farmer/farmers' market is denied
or, during the course of the contract or agreement, when a farmer/farmers'
market is disqualified or any other adverse action which affects
participation is taken.
Renewals:
This Program is authorized through September 30, 2003.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Statutory formula
can be found at Section 17(m)(3) of the Child Nutrition Act. As
a prerequisite to the receipt of Federal funds, a State agency must
agree to contribute program income or State, local or private funds
equal to at least 30 percent of its total program cost. Indian Tribal
Organizations may receive a negotiated match contribution that is
less than 30 percent but not less than 10 percent. State contributions
for similar programs may satisfy the State matching requirement.
Provided that sufficient funds are available, each current State
agency will be funded at its most recent year's level. Remaining
funds are divided between current States for expansion and new States,
based on a 75 to 25 percent ratio, respectively.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Grants have
been released for the duration of the fiscal year using Federal
Reserve Bank letters of credit. State agencies may withdraw funds
only as needed.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Annual reports submitted to FNS specifying the following data: Number
and type of recipients (Federal and nonfederal); number of authorized
farmers, farmers' markets, and farm or roadside stands; value of
coupons issued and redeemed; and financial expenditure data.
Audits:
State and local agencies shall obtain either a single audit or
a program-specific audit in accordance with 7 CFR 3016.26 or 3019.26
and 3052, as applicable.
Records:
State agencies must maintain full and complete records including
recipient and financial data; coupon issuance and redemption data;
equipment purchases and inventory; nutrition education and civil
rights procedures.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 12-3510-0-1-605.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $21,005,776; FY 02 est $10,759,266; and FY 03 est
$0.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
$6,667 to $3,676,398; Average: $512,336.
FNS has approved the operation of the FMNP in 40 State agencies,
which include the District of Columbia, Guam and 4 Indian Tribal
Organizations serving as State agencies for fiscal year 2002, thereby
increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers'
markets by many more WIC recipients. This is consistent with the
nutrition goals of WIC and FMNP to motivate WIC participants to
make healthy food choices.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
7 CFR Part 248.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: See Food and Nutrition Service
updated regional office listed in Appendix IV.
Headquarters
Office: Supplemental Food Programs Division,
Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park
Center Drive, Room 540, Alexandria, VA 22302. Contact Debra R.
Whitford, Branch Chief. Telephone: (703) 305-2746.
