FNS Awards Grant to Delaware to Provide Mobile Payment Options for WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

DOVER, Del., August 1, 2022 – USDA's Food and Nutrition Service today announced the award of the first round of Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants to the state of Delaware. The grant will help the state improve equitable access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC.

Delaware's Division of Public Health will receive a $248,934 grant to purchase mobile-friendly software services that streamline benefit delivery for participants, farmers and WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) state agencies and can help increase the use of benefits at farmers' markets. The system will enable farmers to sell their goods to WIC FMNP shoppers without the need for traditional paper checks and comes with a web application to manage sales the same way they do for any other credit and debit card transactions.

“USDA applauds Delaware for finding solutions to modernize its WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program,” said FNS Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, Dr. Patty Bennett. “Eliminating paper checks and vouchers, approving transactions at time of sale, and other modern functions make program management simple and convenient, a win-win for farmers and participants.”

The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides eligible participants coupons to buy fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from local farmers, farmers' markets or roadside stands that have been approved by their state agency to accept FMNP benefits.

“Supply chain issues have affected families around the country, but fortunately shopping at your local farmers' market is one way to ensure immediate access to fresh produce,” said FNS Administrator Cindy Long. “These mobile-friendly solutions make it easier for eligible WIC participants to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to help provide the healthiest start for their families.”

These grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are part of a larger group of ARPA initiatives to modernize the WIC and Farmers' Market Nutrition programs. The grants demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to improve nutrition security for all Americans, especially historically underserved populations. A second round of Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants is expected later this year.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.

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