WIC Extends Farmers Market Program

By Idy Perl

Governor Hochul announced a special new program for families participating in the WIC program. 

WIC members can now receive double their regular benefits, up to $50, to use at participating farmers’ markets in order to purchase healthy food grown by local farmers. The announcement comes during National Farmers Market week, which highlights the local farmers markets that are now open across New York. 

“This expanded benefit is an important part of our daily work to put more money back in the pockets of working families while ensuring all New Yorkers have access to healthy, fresh foods,” Governor Hochul said. “By doubling the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefit this year, we are offering extra help to tens of thousands of families to stretch their dollars even further at their farmers’ market while supporting our local farmers who are growing and producing the fresh food that is so critical to a healthy, nutritious diet, particularly for young children.”

Coupons for the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, FMNP, can be obtained by eligible WIC members, including mothers, infants, and children up to 5, at local WIC clinics on a first come first serve basis. The coupons can only be used to buy fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs at farmers markets.