The FMNP provides WIC participants a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables not provided in the WIC food package and allows participants to purchase these foods at Certified Farmersí Markets. These fresh fruits and vegetables are an additional sources of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and iron, nutrients that are important to the health of pregnant women and their children. Even though FMNP targets services to WIC participants, federal regulations require the FMNP to operate separately and independently of the WIC program.

The Farmersí Market Nutrition Program embodies the concept that access to affordable food is a key component in improving nutrition and reducing hunger. The FMNP goals are clearóincrease the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by nutritionally at-risk Americans, and promote the use of farmersí markets. Its methods are simpleógiving low-income people nutrition education to accompany the coupons that are redeemable for fresh produce at local farmerís markets, along with related.

This program shows that these ideals can be effectively achieved, resulting in benefits for the community. While promoting better nutrition and improving food purchasing behaviors, the FMNP strengthens the markets by attracting new customers and fostering revitalization of community centers. A larger client base helps sustain farmersí markets, encourages market growth, and ultimately makes a greater variety of affordable, nutritious foods easily accessible for low-income communities. Increased economic opportunity for local farmers translates to a stronger local economy. For a relatively small investment, the FMNP yields valuable returns.

The FMNP benefits California in several ways:

The FMNP furthers public health goals. Studies show that a diet high in fruits and vegetables reduces the incidences of cancer and other preventable diseases. The FMNPís emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables purchases is also consistent with the dietary goal established by Healthy 2000 recommendations and the DHS Five-A-Day campaign. California spends millions of dollars annually on efforts geared toward encouraging healthier eating habits. However, DHS recently released a report,"Overall Trends in Healthy Eating Among Adults, 1989-1997", that indicated that fruit and vegetable consumption is declining among Californians. In contrast, FMNP evaluations consistently indicate that program participation results in participants buying both more and different fresh produce from CFMs and more fresh produce all year long. This trend within the FMNP directly and positively contrasts to statewide patterns, which indicate an overall decline in the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

FMNP supports the Departmentsí Strategic Plan by helping to attack the underlying causes of preventable diseases.

The FMNP enjoys strong support from the agriculture community. FMNP supports small, independent farmers, thereby fostering local economic development in California. Many of the farmers selling at farmersí markets are minority, women, and family owned/operated businesses.

The FMNP provides a source much needed revenue to small farmers.
For every dollar spent in the FMNP, 83 cents goes to the farmer. Only 17 cents from every dollar spent is used for program administration.

The FMNPís revenue helps small farmers offset the negative fiscal impact stemming from:

Public health benefits. Studies show that a diet high in fruits and vegetables reduces the incidence of cancer and increases the birth weight of infants. The FMNPís emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables purchases is also consistent with the dietary goals established by Healthy 2000 recommendations and the Five-A-Day campaign. Significant funds are spent annually on efforts geared toward encouraging healthier eating habits. However, DHS recently released reports indicating that fruit and vegetable consumption is declining in California. In contrast, FMNP evaluations consistently indicate that program participation results in participants buying more and different fresh produce from CFMs and more fresh produce all year long. This trend within the FMNP directly and positively contrasts to statewide patterns, which indicate an overall decline in the consumption of fresh fruits vegetable.