IFMA Receives Lumpkin Family Foundation Grant

The Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA) was awarded a grant of $6,500 to support its pilot project, “Increasing WIC FMNP checks redemption at East Central Illinois Farmers Markets”.  These funds are being used to provide WIC families in Champaign-Urbana, Charleston, Decatur and Springfield with locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. The Lumpkin Family Foundation’s mission is to “support people pursuing innovation and long-lasting improvements in the environment, health, education and community access to the arts” in East-Central Illinois.  

Many of the markets had special events during National Farmers Market Week to help promote the incentive coupons available to moms and kids.

FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) is a federal food assistance program for WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) families to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. Nutrition education is provided regarding choosing nutritious foods along with check vouchers to be used at local authorized Farmers Markets.  Unfortunately, the redemption rates in Champaign-Urbana, Charleston, Decatur and Springfield continue to be below the state average of 44%.  As a result of this, WIC families are not receiving the benefit of healthy foods and farmers are not being paid these federal and state allocated funds. 

The goal of this project is to promote health for WIC families with nutritious and affordable food by promoting Farmers Market awareness with the opportunity to purchase produce grown by local farmers.   Farmers Markets will utilize this grant funding to provide education, outreach, advertising and incentive coupons to WIC families to increase FMNP check voucher redemption. Special Health events are being held to reach out to those who are unfamiliar with the FMNP by introducing them to the farmers and their products.

We will provide more information about this project in the coming months