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Georgia WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
WIC farmers markets are held each year, beginning May 1 and ending September 30, at participating
health department clinics across the state. Benefits are issued to WIC recipients one time per season on a first-come, first-served basis. To be eligible for WIC FMNP program benefits, you must be enrolled as a WIC recipient who is a/an:- Pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding woman;
- Infant six months of age or older; or
- Child up to 5 years of age.
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Georgia Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Senior farmers markets are held each year, beginning May 1 and ending September 30, at participating Area Agencies on Aging across the state. Benefits are issued to Senior participants one time per season on a first-come, first-served basis. To be eligible for Senior FMNP program benefits, you must:
- Be a Georgia resident;
- Be 60 years of age or older at the time of the market; and
- Have a household income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
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How to Become an Authorized Farmer
To qualify for the programs, a farmer must:
- Own his/her farm operation/business;
- Grow produce in the state of Georgia, or on land 25 miles outside the Georgia border; and
- Grow a minimum of four (4) different types of fruits and vegetables.
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Farmer Training
Each year, before the beginning of the farmers' market season, the Department of Public Health conducts farmer training. All current farmers and new applicants are required to attend the training. The one-day training provides farmers with program policies and procedures.
During the training, all new farmers will have the opportunity to complete an application package. In addition to completing the application package, a new farmer must also submit the following documents:
- A notarized deed or an owner-signed lease agreement for the land where the farmer’s produce is grown; and
- A letter from a local Cooperative Extension documenting the farmer’s status as a Georgia Grower by listing the specific types of crops the farmer produces.
If a farm is “Certified Organic” and the farmer submits copies of such certification, the proof of land ownership or lease agreement and the local Cooperative Extension letter are not required.
Following the farmer training, applicants will receive an on-site or web-based/virtual pre-authorization farm inspection to verify the information listed on their application. If the applicant passes the farm inspection, the application will then be processed for authorization. Farmers are officially authorized for both programs when they receive a fully executed farmer agreement.
2023 Farmer Training Dates
Farmer Training for 2023 has concluded. Future training dates will be posted here.
Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The Georgia Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) are federally funded programs that provide WIC recipients and eligible senior participants with
fresh,
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the agency that administers the programs statewide. DPH partners with local public health districts and Area Agencies on Aging to administer these programs locally to WIC recipients and senior participants, respectively. Program benefits are only redeemable from Georgia DPH-authorized farmers at authorized selling locations.
Page last updated: 5/1/23