WIC
Many of our farmers' markets are proud participants in the WIC (Women, Infant & Children) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. Under this federally funded program, low-income women and their young children receive special checks to spend on fresh produce at farmers' markets around our state. This program not only helps nutritionally at-risk women and children eat better, but also helps farmers by bringing new customers to the markets and increasing sales. It's also an extremely effective real-life education program--by introducing participants to our markets, they can taste a variety of new foods, and learn how to use them. It's a win-win program for everybody!Last year, thousands of WIC participants took advantage of the outdoor markets, which featured approximately 800 New Mexico farmers and growers who participated in the program.
Eligible Participants
You or someone you know may qualify for the WIC program if they meet the following criteria:
- Live in New Mexico. WIC participants usually receive services in the county where they live (U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility)
- Be a Pregnant, Breastfeeding or Postpartum woman, an infant under one year of age or a child less than 5 years of age. (Parents, step-parents, guardians and foster parents of infants and children under 5 can apply for their children)
- Meet the income guidelines. Households with incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty income level are eligible. WIC determines income based on gross income. WIC counts all of the members of a household, related or non-related. WIC counts an unborn baby as a household member.
- Be at nutritional risk. WIC participants receive an initial health and diet screening at a WIC clinic to determine nutritional risk. WIC uses two main categories of nutritional risk: 1) medically-based risks such as history of poor pregnancy outcome, underweight status, or iron deficiency anemia, and 2) diet-based risk factors such as poor eating habits which can lead to poor nutritional and health status. Participants will be counseled at WIC about these risks and the outcome influenced by nutrition education and nutritious foods provided by WIC.
- Participants must apply in person.
To Apply for WIC, contact the New Mexico Department of Health at www.health.state.nm.us/phd/wicsite/connections-card.php or call 866-867-3124
Markets That Accept WIC Checks Include:
- Albuquerque Uptown Growers' Market
- Albuquerque Growers' Market
- Albuquerque: Nob Hill Growers' Market
- Albuquerque: South Valley Growers' Market
- Aztec Farmers' Market
- Bayard Farmers' Market
- Belen Farmers' Market
- Bernalillo Farmers' Market
- Cedar Crest Farmers' Market
- Clovis Farmers' Market
- Corrales Growers' Market
- Dixon Co-op Farmers' Market
- Edgewood Farmers' Market
- Española Farmers' Market
- Farmington Farmers' Market
- Gallup Farmers' Market
- Las Cruces Farmers' & Crafts Market
- Las Cruces: Mountain View Farmers' Market
- Las Vegas: Tri County Farmers' Market
- Los Alamos Farmers' Market
- Los Lunas Farmers' Market
- Los Ranchos Growers' Market
- Mora Valley Farmers' Market
- Pojoaque Valley Farmers' Market
- Portales Farmers' Market
- Ramah Farmers' Market
- Roswell: MainStreet Roswell Farmers' & Gardeners' Market
- San Felipe Farmers' Market
- Santa Fe Farmers' Market
- Santa Fe Southside Farmers' Market
- Shiprock Farmers' Market
- Silver City Farmers' Market
- Socorro Farmers' Market
- Sunland Park: Ardovino's Desert Crossing Farmers' Market
- Taos Farmers' Market
- Taos Pueblo: Red Willow Farmers' Market
- Taos Sunday Market
- Truth or Consequences: Sierra County Farmers' Market
- Tucumcari Farmers' Market
Nutrition Education Resources
Learn about the nutritional value of many fresh fruits and vegetables found at New Mexico farmers' markets, as well as how to prepare them, by downloading our nutrition brochures in English and Spanish. Choose the fruits and vegetables in which you are most interested for yourself, a friend or a family member. Enjoy, and get healthy with fresh, locally grown market produce!
