From Farms to Families Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program and WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers Presenter: Maria Menor, Oregon WIC Program

From Farms to Families

Farm Direct Nutrition Program Seasonal-summer (June 1 st -Oct 31 st ) Provides $4 checks to income-eligible Seniors and WIC participants

Farm Direct Nutrition Program Eligibility WIC woman, child or infant 6+ mos. Eligible senior: At least 60 years of age Receiving SNAP or Medicaid on April 1 Not living in facility where meals are provided Monthly income < $1,226 for a single person and $1,655 for a couple Insufficient funding to serve all eligible

2011 Farm Direct Nutrition Program WIC Farm Direct 28,365 recipients $20 benefit (5 $4 checks) Senior Farm Direct 31,900 recipients $32 benefit (8 $4 checks)

WIC Farm Direct Distribution

2011 Senior notification letter

2011 Senior Response Card

From Farms to Families …to Farms 696 Farm Direct- authorized farmers $1.2 M in Farm Direct Nutrition Program sales

WIC Program The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Developed to improve health outcomes

Oregon WIC Facts 115,000 women, infants, children/month $8.6 million in potential sales from WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers to authorized farmers and grocery stores

WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers Oregon authorizes farmers as of % of 2011 Farm Direct farmers also accept WIC ¼ of WIC also receive Farm Direct checks Year-round, monthly benefit

WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers Specific voucher denominations: $5, $6, $10 Different transaction, eligible foods than Farm Direct Nutrition Program

The Collaboration Continues… To secure funding To increase redemption of WIC Fruit & Veggie voucher w/ farmers To prepare for eWIC!

Win-Win: Farmers & Markets gain: Increased Sales Expanded Customer Base

Win-Win Seniors & WIC Families gain: Access to great produce Nutrition Education An introduction to a new way of shopping

For Additional Information Oregon WIC Program: (877) Click on Farmer link Click on WIC/Senior FDNP link

Thank you!