Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs

Fresh and Local

The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is associated with the Tennessee Special Supplemental Nutrition Program and was established by Congress in 1992 to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of, and sales at farmers' markets.  

The Tennessee Department of Health receives grants from the United States Department of Agriculture to operate the Farmer's Market Nutrition Program.  This program is offered in Tennessee during July and August.  The FMNP provides locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs to families with limited resources, improving the eating habits of WIC families and senior citizens.  They also receive nutrition information which shows why it is important to eat more fruits and vegetables.  Fruits and vegetables can help prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke.

The program only includes fruits, vegetables, and herbs which are grown in Tennessee. This gives support to local farmers and their families.  Farmers in the program sell their produce at local farmers markets and at permanent farm stands.  About 25,000 eligible participants are served each summer. Participants must be residents of selected counties in Tennessee and meet gross income guidelines.

Program Information

Tennessee participates in the Women, Infants, and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

Senior citizens (60 years of age and older) in Davidson, Dyer and Shelby counties who receive Commodity Supplemental Food Program foods also get Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks.  Hamblen and Warren county seniors are also eligible to receive Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks. 

The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program uses the same guidelines as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.  Seniors must be a resident of the county and 60 years of age or older.  They must have an income at or below 130% of the federal income poverty guidelines.  The SFMNP gives eight $5 checks to about 14,000 seniors each year.

The Women, Infants, and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program gives checks to exchange for fruits, vegetables and herbs to women and children (1 through 4 years old) who receive Women, Infants, and Children program services.  Women, Infants, and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks are for $5, and participants get a total of $30 per year.  Mothers use Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks at designated farmers markets and roadside stands.  Every year,  mothers discover the benefits of buying locally grown produce. 

The Women, Infants, and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program serves families in Coffee, Hickman, Knox, Lincoln, Madison, Maury, Moore, Rutherford and Sullivan counties.

Nondiscrimination Policy        

The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) has a strict federal nondiscrimination policy, prohibiting exclusion or denial of benefits based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age, ensuring equal access for all participants and eligible persons to these nutrition assistance programs, with requirements for public notification, complaint rights, and accessibility for people with disabilities.