WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs (WIC FMNP & SFMNP)

The Women, Infant, Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP)

The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) offers New Mexico (NM) WIC-eligible individuals $30 per year in extra spendable benefits to buy locally grown fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs from authorized farmers’ markets, mobile farmers’ markets, and roadside stands across the state.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is now offering Electronic Mobile and Shopper card benefits up to $50 to senior adults (over age 60) for Non-Native Americans and senior adults (over age 55) for Native Americans, who live in New Mexico, to buy locally grown fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey from select farmers’ markets, mobile farmers’ markets, and roadside stands across the state.


Eligibility & How to Apply

For customer eligibility and how to apply, please visit the New Mexico WIC website for FMNP for Families.

Seniors interested in applying can visit the New Mexico WIC website for Seniors.

More information about the WIC program can be found at nmwic.org or by calling (866) 867-3124.

The U.S Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usdagov/complaint filing cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form.

Info for Vendors

How Do I Become an Approved Vendor?

Farmers who grow eligible items in New Mexico, or within an 80 miles radius of a New Mexico farmers’ market if out-of-state can apply to accept WIC and Senior benefits at participating New Mexico farmers’ markets. Farmers must sign an agreement with the Department of Health and be assigned an identification number by the farmers’ market manager. Agreements must be renewed every three years, but identification numbers are permanent. According to the New Mexico State Plan with the Federal government, these programs do not sell fruits and vegetables.

What Types of Foods Can Be Sold in the Program?

Fresh fruits and vegetables that are not processed beyond their natural state (aside from cleaning) are eligible to be sold to both WIC and Senior clients. This means that processed fruits and vegetables such as ristras or dried chile powder are not eligible. Additionally, Senior FMNP benefits may be used to purchase raw honey.

For more information about becoming an authorized New Mexico nutrition program vendor, please visit NM WIC’s Market and Vendors page.

How Do I Sign My Market Up to Be Able to Accept FMNP Benefits?

Markets must first be authorized by the New Mexico Department of Health in order to be able to accept FMNP benefits. In order to be eligible, markets must:

  • Have at least three (3) farmer vendors
  • Operate from a permanent site for at least six consecutive weeks between July and October
  • Have a current market manager who is on site during market hours
  • Participate in annual training (this occurs at the annual NMFMA market manager conference)
  • Ensure that produce offered for sale is locally grown by the people who are selling it (no reselling is permitted according to the New Mexico State Plan submitted each year by the NMDOH to the federal government)
  • Submit a completed and signed market agreement to the Department of Health by April 17th of the current year (NMDOH will provide these at the NMFMA annual conference).

How Do I Become an Approved Vendor?

Farmers who grow eligible items in New Mexico or within an 80 miles radius of a New Mexico farmers’ market, if out-of-state, can apply to accept WIC and Senior benefits at participating New Mexico farmers’ markets. Farmers must sign an agreement with the Department of Health and be assigned an identification number by the farmers’ market manager. Agreements must be renewed every three years, but identification numbers are permanent. According to the New Mexico State Plan with the Federal government, these programs do not sell fruits and vegetables.

What Types of Foods Can Be Sold in the Program?

Fresh fruits and vegetables that are not processed beyond their natural state (aside from cleaning) are eligible to be sold to both WIC and Senior clients. This means that processed fruits and vegetables such as ristras or dried chile powder are not eligible. Additionally, Senior FMNP benefits may be used to purchase raw honey.

For more information and to apply, please visit the FMNP Markets & Vendors Resources from NM WIC, or call 505-469-0548.