Federal Policies & Programs

Farmers markets have a stake in improving public policies on a wide range of issues—from agriculture to public health. More than 8,600 farmers markets serve small towns and big cities, as well as people from all ages, races, and backgrounds. Moreover, the billions of dollars that farmers markets generate in communities across America create jobs and generate economic activity. Some of the main Federal programs and policies supporting farmers markets are summarized below. FMC works to improve and expand these programs, to help ensure the success of farmers markets, today and tomorrow.

Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program (FINI)

The Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives (FINI) Program provides grants on a competitive basis to projects that help low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables through cash incentives that increase their purchasing power at locations like farmers markets. In the program’s first year it was responsible for tens of millions of additional servings of fruits and vegetables and over ten million dollars in direct stimulus to American farmers …. Read more

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)

FMPP strives to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of, domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Read more

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

SFMNP provides low-income seniors with coupons for use at their local farmers market, to purchase unprocessed fruits, vegetables, honey, and fresh-cut herbs. In 2015, the program benefited 817,751 low-income seniors at 3,774 farmers’ markets and 3,203 roadside stands. 20,329 farmers received income from SFMNP benefits in 2015 […] Read more

WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP)

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides low-income young and expecting families access to fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables at farmers markets while reinvesting government dollars into local economies and providing crucial revenue to small farmers.  Were authorized to accept FMNP checks or coupons. In 2015, the program cost-effectively provided fresh produce to more than 1.7 million WIC families at 3,390 farmers’ markets and 2,894 roadside stands. These benefits represent $14 million in income going directly to 18,000 farmers[…] Read more

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

$22 million in SNAP benefits were redeemed at farmers markets and through direct marketing farmers across the US in 2017. […] Read more

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

Enacted in 2011, FSMA may impact sales of products at farmers markets, depending upon FDA’s interpretation of the law[…] Read more

WIC Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Vouchers (CVV)

CVV has the potential to direct upwards of $500 million a year to farmers markets, but challenges at the state and market level are limiting the impact of this important program[…] Read more