The New York State Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) consists of two programs: the Women, Infants and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Those who are eligible for these programs are provided checks to redeem for fresh, local fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands. This program is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in collaboration with New York State Department of Health, the New York State Office for the Aging, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Cornell Cooperative Extension provided outreach for the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program statewide through county-based Extension staff. The outreach program brought awareness to low-income families and seniors about benefits available for use at markets and increased their knowledge around ways to use local produce. Extension educators delivered educational programming to help participants select, store, and prepare fresh produce from the farmers’ market.
The outreach program also focused on developing tools for CCE educators. Tools increase educators’ capacity to serve as resources to nutrition assistance program participants, farmers, market managers, and community agencies involved in FMNP. The outreach program also developed a (1) FMNP Nutrition Education Curriculum, (2) Farmers’ Market Community Meeting Toolkit, and (3) promotional materials to increase the reach of FMNP outreach.
FMNP nutrition education events took place at farmers’ markets as well as other community-based organizations such as WIC and senior meal sites. These events were delivered by county-based CCE educators. The farmers’ market community meetings were delivered by county-based CCE educators.
Learn more by visiting the FMNP Outreach Website.
Outcomes from this project can be found here: Farmers’ market nutrition program educational events are broadly accepted and may increase knowledge, self-efficacy and behavioral intentions
Funding: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Seguin-Fowler Research 