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WIC & Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs

What are the WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs?

DC Health provides residents with access to fresh, healthy produce at farmers’ markets, through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).


Who is eligible to receive the WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs benefit?

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP):

  • To receive WIC farmers’ market benefits, you must be enrolled in the DC WIC program and be an eligible participant:
    • Women (pregnant and breastfeeding)
    • Infants (6–12 months)
    • Children (1-5 years)

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP):

  • To receive senior farmers’ market benefits, you must be enrolled in or on the waitlist for the Grocery Plus program . Grocery Plus participants must be:
    • DC residents;
    • 60 years or older; and
    • Income-eligible or enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Low-Income Subsidy Program (LIS), or Medicare Savings Program (MSP).


How do the WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs work?

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP):

  • The WIC farmers’ market program provides each eligible participant with $30 to buy fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs from approved farmers at participating farmers’ markets between June 1st and November 30th.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP):

  • The senior farmers’ market program provides eligible participants with $50 to buy fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey from approved farmers at participating farmers’ markets between June 1st and November 30th.

Interested in getting more produce from local farmers? Check out the Produce Plus Program:

  • The Produce Plus program provides eligible participants with $40 per month to spend on fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs from approved farmers at participating farmers’ markets between June 1st and November 30th.
  • To learn more:
    • Visit: DC Health – Produce Plus   or FRESHFARM – Produce Plus
    • Call the Produce Plus Hotline: (202) 888-4834.
      • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 9am – 3pm, April through November.
    • Call the DC Health Farmers’ Market Hotline: (202) 299-3775.
      • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm, not including DC government holidays.


How do I enroll in the WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs?

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP):

There is not a separate application for the WIC farmers’ market program. If you are interested in participating, please enroll in the DC WIC program.

  • For more information about enrolling in the DC WIC program:
    • Call the DC WIC team: (202) 442-9397
    • Visit: DC WIC

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP):

There is not a separate application for the senior farmers’ market program. If you are interested in participating, please enroll in the Grocery Plus program.


I enrolled in the WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs, what’s next?

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP):

WIC farmers’ market benefits are available through a QR code. QR codes are distributed May through September at DC WIC clinics.

Call your DC WIC clinic to set up an appointment to receive you WIC farmers’ market benefit.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP):

Senior farmers’ market benefits are available through a Produce Pass card. Produce Pass cards are distributed April through September at each Grocery Plus box distribution site.

  • If you have a Produce Pass card, please bring it with you to your Grocery Plus distribution between April and September.
  • If you lost your card or are new to the program, you will be given a new Produce Pass card.


How do I spend my WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefit?

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP): 

Once you have received a printed or digital QR code from your WIC clinic, please follow these steps to spend your benefit:

  1. Visit a farmer’s market   in DC or Maryland and pick out your fruits, vegetables, and/or cut herbs with an authorized farmer.
  2. Show the farmer your QR code when you are ready to check out.
  3. Allow the farmer to scan your QR code with their tablet or device.
  4. Confirm the purchase amount with the farmer.
  5. Transaction complete!

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP):

Once you have received your card from your Grocery Plus site, please follow these steps to spend your benefit:

  1. Visit a farmer’s market   in DC or Maryland and pick out your fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and/or honey with an authorized farmer.
  2. Show the farmer your Produce Pass card when you are ready to check out.
  3. Allow the farmer to scan the barcode on the back of your Produce Pass card with their tablet or device.
  4. Confirm the purchase amount with the farmer.
  5. Transaction complete!


Where can I spend my WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefit?

  • Market Guide : Find locations that accept your farmers’ market benefit by Ward.
  • Interactive Farmers’ Market Map  : Find locations that accept your farmers’ market benefit by address search.
  • Look for the Authorized Farmer poster  while at the farmers’ market.
  • Need help finding a location near you?
    • Call the Produce Plus Hotline: (202) 888-4834.
      • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 9am – 3pm, April through November.
    • Call the DC Health Farmers’ Market Hotline: (202) 299-3775.
      • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm, not including DC government holidays.


How do I check my WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefit balance?

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP):

There are several ways to check your WIC farmers’ market benefit balance:

  • Call the DC Health Farmers’ Market Hotline: (202) 299-3775.
    • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm, not including DC government holidays.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP):

There are several ways to check your senior farmers’ market benefit balance:

  • Visit the balance checker website.
  • Email the FRESHFARM team: [email protected]
  • Call the Produce Plus Hotline: Call the Produce Plus Hotline: (202) 888-4834.
    • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 9am – 3pm, April through November.
    • Call the DC Health Farmers’ Market Hotline: (202) 299-3775.
      • Produce Plus Hotline: (202) 888-4834
      • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 9am – 3pm, April through November
      • DC Health Hotline: (202) 299-3775
      • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm, not including DC government holidays.


Questions?

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP):

  • Visit: DC WIC
  • Call the DC Farmers’ Market Hotline: (202) 299-3775.
    • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm, not including DC government holidays.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP):

  • Visit: DC Senior Farmers' Market Program
  • Call the DC Health Farmers’ Market Hotline: (202) 299-3775.
    • Hotline staff are available Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm, not including DC government holidays.

 

Who runs the WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs?

The WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs are funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The programs are operated by DC Health.

 

Interested in becoming an approved farmer?

Contact Carmen Angel:

Additional Resources:

More Resources