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Direct
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Acting under Articles 22 and 23 of the Agriculture and Markets
Law, Department staff facilitate and promote the direct marketing
of New York State agricultural products from producers to consumers
and wholesale buyers through technical assistance, grant financing
and the production of publications.
 Farmers’
Markets
AML Article 22—Farmers’ Markets
AML Article 23—Direct Marketing
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
The New York State Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides
checks to low-income, nutritionally at-risk families enrolled in
the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) and Senior Nutrition Programs. The checks are redeemable
for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets.
 The
purpose of the program is to promote improved nutrition through
increased consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
It is also intended to expand sales at farmers' markets. The Department
collaborates with the New York State Department of Health, the New
York State Office for the Aging, and Cornell Cooperative Extension
in administering the program.
Farmers must sign up annually with a manager of the market(s) in
which they plan to participate. Farmers will receive participation
materials from the Department after we are notified by the market
manager. There is no fee to participate.
WIC clients receive benefits automatically provided that their
local WIC agency participates in the Program. FMNP checks are issued
one per household, not by individual.
Seniors receive their FMNP checks from local senior centers, except
in New York City where checks are issued from congregate meal sites
or the Department of Health's Food and Nutrition sites. Eligible
seniors must be at least 60 years of age and be receiving benefits
through Social Security, pubic assistance, food stamps, HEAP, or
section 8 housing or earn less than $1,491 per month for a single
senior or $2,010 for a couple.
For more information on participation in the Farmers' Market Nutrition
Program and how to redeem FMNP checks, please contact Jonathan Thomson
at jonathan.thomson@agmkt.state.ny.us.
$5.3 Million For Farmers' Market Nutrition
Programs
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