WIC Checks Now Accepted At New York Farmers Markets

Participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program can now use their monthly checks at New York farmers markets to purchase fresh produce. New York is the first state in the nation to allow the use of WIC checks at farmers markets.

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A pilot program conducted in 2006 by the Department of Health showed that WIC participants prefer fresh produce over canned or frozen products when fresh is available. In New York, approximately 520,000 women, infants, and children participate in the WIC program every month. The program received approximately $420 million in funding from USDA this year and is administered by the New York State Department of Health’s Division of Nutrition.

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Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Interesting – I will be interested to see how this program goes over.

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

How will the people who buy in produce and fruits be policed or is their not stipulations that what their selling is NY grown

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Also These womwn & their children should be offered education courses in class rooms like in Florida,headed by “Ag in the Classroom” learning about how agriculture is important for existence in an ever populated world

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

WIC participants in Indiana can also get special allotments of vouchers to use at farmers markets. It does help vendors sell more produce, but it also presents a few challenges when WIC participants try to use the checks for items other than those approved by the USDA (e.g. flowers, ornamentals like pumpkins or gourds in the fall, etc.) I agree with Mr. Robinson that education for these folks is essential, especially in the areas of nutrition and some basic cooking skills.

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Interesting – I will be interested to see how this program goes over.

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

How will the people who buy in produce and fruits be policed or is their not stipulations that what their selling is NY grown

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Also These womwn & their children should be offered education courses in class rooms like in Florida,headed by “Ag in the Classroom” learning about how agriculture is important for existence in an ever populated world

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

WIC participants in Indiana can also get special allotments of vouchers to use at farmers markets. It does help vendors sell more produce, but it also presents a few challenges when WIC participants try to use the checks for items other than those approved by the USDA (e.g. flowers, ornamentals like pumpkins or gourds in the fall, etc.) I agree with Mr. Robinson that education for these folks is essential, especially in the areas of nutrition and some basic cooking skills.

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