Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs — WIC FMNP and Senior SFMNP

Two federal programs bring fresh, locally grown produce to the people least likely to have access to it — by issuing coupons redeemable directly at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) farms. The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 1786 and regulated at 7 CFR Part 248, gives WIC participants — low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children under 5 — supplemental fresh produce coupons on top of their regular WIC food packages. The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), authorized under 7 U.S.C. § 3007 and regulated at 7 CFR Part 249, extends the same model to low-income seniors aged 60 and older. Both are state-administered programs with federal grants, both supplement (not replace) other nutrition assistance, and both serve the dual purpose of improving nutrition for vulnerable populations while supporting local farmers and food systems.

Current Law (2026)

What These Programs Do

WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (7 CFR Part 248)

FMNP is built into the WIC program structure — the same income-eligible participants who receive WIC food packages also qualify for FMNP coupons. States choose whether to run an FMNP program (it's optional, unlike core WIC); those that do must receive a state plan from FNS and execute a grant agreement. The coupons provide access to fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables — a nutritional supplement to the standard WIC food package, which already includes some produce but relies heavily on packaged staples. FMNP coupons are redeemable only at state-approved farmers, farmers' markets, and roadside stands. States manage vendor authorization, set redemption rules, and bear responsibility for coupon accountability.

The state cost-sharing requirement is significant: states must provide non-federal matching funds equal to at least 30% of administrative costs — a threshold designed to ensure state commitment to the program beyond the federal grant. Food costs (the coupons themselves) can be 100% federal. The 30% match applies only to the administrative side: staffing, outreach, vendor management, and systems. States can use other federal grants to satisfy the match only in limited circumstances; typically the match must be state or local dollars.

FNS distributes funds to states in advance (up to one year before the fiscal year of intended use) and monitors state programs through management evaluations. If a state misuses or diverts FMNP coupons or funds — whether through negligence or fraud — FNS can require repayment. FMNP benefits are excluded from income and resource calculations for all means-tested programs.

Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (7 CFR Part 249)

SFMNP targets low-income seniors — defined by each state in accordance with USDA guidance, but generally focusing on individuals 60 and older whose household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The program provides coupons for fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown produce — explicitly local, explicitly unprocessed. SFMNP is notable for explicitly authorizing CSA farm share programs alongside farmers' markets and roadside stands, making it one of the few federal nutrition programs that accommodates the community-supported agriculture model.

States submit annual State Plans to FNS before receiving SFMNP federal funds. States that participated in the prior year receive priority funding — specifically, at least 90% of their prior year allocation will be maintained if overall appropriations allow. This continuity provision protects established state programs from year-to-year funding instability and gives states confidence to invest in infrastructure. Administrative costs are capped at 10% of the federal grant — a tighter cap than FMNP, reflecting the simpler distribution model for seniors. Like FMNP, SFMNP benefits are excluded from income/resource calculations for all other assistance programs.

Key Provisions

7 CFR Part 248 — WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program:

• § 248.1 — Dual purpose: improve nutrition for WIC participants AND expand markets for farmers and local food producers
• § 248.2 — Definitions: "farmer" must primarily grow food themselves; "farmers' market" is a central location with multiple independent farmers; "roadside stand" is at or near the farm; distinguishes authorized from non-authorized vendors
• § 248.10 — State manages vendor authorization; only state-approved venues can accept FMNP coupons; markets must agree to sell fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables and comply with state FMNP rules
• § 248.12 — Allowable costs: coupons themselves (food costs) plus administrative costs (outreach, vendor management, systems); administrative costs must be reasonable and necessary
• § 248.14 — State matching requirement: 30% of administrative costs in non-federal funds; this is a condition of participation, not a scoring factor
• § 248.16 — Appeals: states must provide hearing rights for recipients who are suspended or disqualified, and for farmers/markets who are denied authorization or disqualified
• § 248.24 — Non-countability: FMNP benefits are NOT counted as income or resources for any federal, state, or local assistance program, tax purposes, or welfare eligibility

7 CFR Part 249 — Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program:

• § 249.1 — Program purpose: give low-income seniors access to fresh, locally grown produce while supporting local farmers and food systems
• § 249.2 — "CSA program" definition: a farm arrangement where consumers pre-purchase a share of the season's harvest and receive weekly boxes; SFMNP explicitly allows coupons to be applied to CSA share costs, expanding the program beyond farmers markets
• § 249.12 — Administrative cost cap: states may use up to 10% of the federal grant for administrative purposes; the remainder must go to coupon benefits
• § 249.14 — Priority funding: prior-year states receive at least 90% of their prior allocation if funds permit; promotes program stability
• § 249.16 — Appeals: states must provide hearing rights for seniors denied participation and vendors denied authorization or disqualified
• § 249.20 — Claims: FNS may require states to repay misused or diverted SFMNP funds and coupons; FNS may make claims for amounts attributable to negligence or fraud
• § 249.25 — Non-countability: SFMNP benefits are supplemental to — and not replaceable by — SNAP, food stamps, or any other food assistance; cannot be counted as income or resources

How It Affects You

If you're a WIC participant: FMNP coupons are available in addition to your regular WIC benefits — they don't reduce your monthly food package. Not every state runs an FMNP program, and not all WIC clinics actively promote it. Ask your WIC clinic coordinator whether your state has an active FMNP program and what farmers' markets or stands are authorized in your area. Coupons are typically seasonal — distributed in late spring or summer when farmers' markets are active — and are tied to a specific geographic area. Because quantities are limited, some states distribute coupons on a first-come, first-served basis at WIC appointments.

If you're a low-income senior (60+): SFMNP is one of the least-known federal nutrition benefits. It provides coupons specifically redeemable for fresh local produce — not packaged food — at farmers' markets, roadside stands, or CSA farms. Eligibility is income-based (set by your state, generally 185% FPL), and unlike most SNAP-related programs, there is no asset test. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging, senior center, or State Department of Agriculture to find out if your state has an SFMNP program and how to apply. Some states distribute coupons through senior centers, nutrition sites, or healthcare providers.

If you're a farmer or farmers' market: Becoming an authorized FMNP/SFMNP vendor opens your market to a customer base that is highly motivated to spend coupons on fresh produce. The authorization process varies by state — typically involves a state application, agreement to sell only eligible foods (fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables), and compliance with state coupon redemption procedures. There is no cost to the farmer; the state pays for authorized vendor participation. For CSA farms, SFMNP authorization allows seniors to apply federal coupons against their CSA share price — bringing in customers who couldn't otherwise afford a seasonal share. Contact your state department of agriculture or the USDA FNS regional office for vendor authorization information.

If you're a state administrator or policy researcher: FMNP and SFMNP represent a distinctive model in federal nutrition policy: they tie food assistance directly to local food systems rather than national retail supply chains. This creates administrative complexity (vendor management, coupon accountability, geographic limitations) but produces political benefits: farmers' associations and state agriculture departments are natural allies for the programs. The 30% state match requirement in FMNP aligns state incentives with federal goals. Both programs have historically been underfunded relative to potential demand — states frequently run out of coupons before the end of the season. Neither program has an entitlement structure; funding is subject to annual congressional appropriation.

Statutory Authority

• 42 U.S.C. § 1786 — The WIC statute that authorizes the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program as a component of the WIC benefit
• 7 U.S.C. § 3007 — Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program authority; directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the program and provide grants to states

Recent Rulemakings

WIC FMNP: 81 FR 66496 (September 2016) updated FMNP regulations to align with the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill) and clarify authorized vendor categories, coupon issuance procedures, and state plan requirements.

SFMNP: 81 FR 66497 (September 2016) similarly updated SFMNP regulations, including clarification of CSA authorization, administrative cost cap enforcement, and state plan content requirements. 74 FR 48374 (2009) made earlier structural adjustments.

Recent Developments

• Farm Bill 2025 reauthorization and FMNP/SFMNP funding: FMNP and SFMNP are authorized under the Farm Bill and subject to reauthorization with each five-year cycle. The 2018 Farm Bill was extended through fiscal year 2025 pending a new Farm Bill. Farm Bill 2025 negotiations included discussions of expanding FMNP and SFMNP benefit amounts, which have not kept pace with farmers market price increases since the programs were established. Benefit amount increases require statutory changes or new Farm Bill appropriations.
• EBT and electronic payment expansion at farmers markets: A significant barrier to FMNP effectiveness is farmers markets' historically limited capacity to accept EBT (SNAP benefits) and electronic payments. USDA has funded market EBT expansion through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP). Many states now allow FMNP coupon redemption through wireless EBT terminals, increasing redemption rates and reducing the administrative burden of paper coupons.
• COVID-19 and farmers market disruption: The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed many in-person farmers markets in 2020, reducing FMNP redemption rates. USDA issued guidance allowing some FMNP benefits to be used at authorized farmstands and CSA operations in addition to traditional farmers market stalls, providing flexibility when market operations were disrupted. Post-pandemic farmers market attendance has largely recovered, and FMNP redemption rates returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2022–2023.
• DOGE and FNS staffing impact: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which administers FMNP and SFMNP alongside larger programs like SNAP and WIC, experienced workforce reductions in 2025. While FMNP and SFMNP are small programs relative to FNS's broader portfolio, staffing reductions affect state agency technical assistance, coupon printing and distribution logistics, and annual state plan review and approval timelines.

Pending Action

Farm Bill 2025 reauthorization is the primary pending action for FMNP and SFMNP. Congressional negotiations are expected to include proposals to increase benefit amounts (the $20–$30 seasonal FMNP benefit has not increased in many years despite farmers market price inflation), expand authorized vendor types to include more farmstand and mobile market formats, and simplify state agency reporting requirements. If a new Farm Bill is not enacted by the extended deadline, FMNP and SFMNP continue operating under existing authorizations during extension periods. Separately, FNS is evaluating whether to allow FMNP benefits to be loaded onto SNAP EBT cards, which could significantly simplify benefit redemption logistics for participating markets.