Farmer's MArket Food Day 016smDuring the last federal fiscal year 10,490 participants in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program received checks from the Arizona Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, a program that has participation from ten local agencies in seven counties. The

WIC moms were able to purchase $120,132 of Arizona Grown fruits and vegetables at approved farmers’ markets. The highest redemption rates were in Coconino and Yavapai counties.

Farmers’ market checks were also issued to 5,056 seniors who were Commodity Supplemental Food Program participants. The seniors purchased $68,196 of produce at farmers’ markets and the highest redemption rate was in Pima County.

For this year, WIC will begin issuing farmers’ market coupons to WIC participants early in March. Three new agencies will participate in the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program including Mariposa Community Health Center in Santa Cruz County, Desert Senita Community Health Center in Ajo, and Navajo County. WIC local agencies returning to the program for another year include Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Pima, Maricopa and Yavapai counties.

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program grant award is anticipated within the next few weeks. Stay tuned for the date farmers’ market checks will be distributed to seniors in Commodity Supplemental Food Program this year.