2015 Maryland Farmers Market Nutrition Program Begins this Week Farmers Market Finder Goes Live on Mobile Devices

Annapolis, MD  – The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) began its 2015 season at 145 farmers markets across the state this week. The program, which provides checks to low income residents to use to buy fresh produce, runs every year from June 1 through November 30. The program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with smaller contributions from MDA and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH).

The FMNP – which includes the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Senior FMNP programs – gives qualified low income residents access to fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herbs and honey (seniors only).  It also provides income for the 400 Maryland farmers who participate every year. Last year, participating farmers received more than $500,000 through the program.

About $500,000 will again be available during the 2015 season for 30,000 WIC recipients and low income seniors. The program is administered by MDA in partnership with DHMH and the Maryland Departments of Aging. State WIC clinics began distributing checks this week. Local agencies for seniors will begin distributing checks on July 1.

In addition, the Farmers Market Finder, a mobile website that lists all farmers markets in the state that have farm vendors who accept FMNP/SFMNP & FVC checks, launched June 1. The purpose of the mobile site is to encourage low income residents to use their checks at farmers markets and increase overall check redemption. Maryland is the first state to pilot this program. For more information.

The site (mobile only) is: http://farmersmarketfinder.ub1.co/

For more information, contact Shelby Watson Hampton at (410) 841-5776 or by email at: Shelby.Watson@Maryland.gov

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